Late Model racing in New South Wales is set for a major boost in profile at Valvoline Raceway this season with a blue-ribbon race event in January.

The 40-lap “Late Model Easternapolis” is expected to attract a crack field of local cars, interstate heroes and even Americans to the first of what is hoped will be an annual affair around the VR clayway.

“The Late Models have so much to offer race fans,” says Valvoline Raceway Managing Director Steven Green, “their racing is furious, they look spectacular on track and they sound tremendous. I think that their regular appearances combined now with the Easternapolis means that the class will really go forwards in leaps and bounds. There’s a lot to be excited about.”

Late Model mover and shaker, car owner, racer and businessman Bruce Mackenzie visited the Valvoline Raceway office earlier this week to meet with track management.

“The meeting was very productive,” smiles Mackenzie, “I came away from it feeling buoyant about the future and comfortable in the knowledge that Valvoline Raceway believes in our future. We all feel that the Easternapolis is a race that can really boost our car count and our overall appeal. It’s a win-win.”

Mackenzie’s company Time Target (a workforce management, time and attendance and rostering solutions company) is heavily involved in the sponsorship of the race, as is Mark Cooper’s American Tire & Racing Services.

The event will be held on Saturday night, January 10, 2015 and feature a 40-lap Feature Race with a significant increase in prize money across the board.

There is also an additional bounty to be added should the interstate car count increase.

The ‘lap leader’ concept will also be floated with sponsorship at $100 per lap offered to the sponsor, team and fan fraternity.

“We’ve had some great success with the lap leader sponsorship program already this year with Sprintcars and we expect that there will be a ground-swell of support for the Late Models as well,” says Green.

American Steve Francis seems a likely starter for the Easternapolis with the possibility of at least another USA starter as well.

With the Australian title being held at Kingaroy the weekend before there’s a strong chance that many of the travelling teams – including the powerful West Aussie contingent – will make a beeline to Valvoline Raceway.

More information on the 40 Lap Late Model Easternapolis will follow in weeks ahead.

(pic attached - Newcastle racer Nathan Disney is already looking to competing in the Easternapolis)