ARCA West Expands to Include Canadian Stock Car Series

MERCED, CA (January 24, 2008) - Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America have announced the expansion of the ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series. Under the terms of the expansion, the NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series will combine with ARCA West to become the ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series in 2008.

“Uniting the NEWALTA LMCS with the ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series will strengthen the ARCA brand and Late Model Racing in the Northwest,” said Richard Michaud, president of ARCA West. “We’re excited about the opportunities this merger presents.”

The former NEWALTA LMCS, the largest touring stock car series in Western Canada in recent years, has a technical and procedural rules package very similar to that of the ARCA West LMCS. Plans call for standalone events in both Canada and the U.S. as well as a number of companion events.

The 2008 schedule, which will be released in full in the coming weeks, is expected to include venues that were on the 2007 NEWALTA LMCS Schedule as well as the ARCA West tour, plus the possible addition of some new venues.Craig Ball has been appointed director of racing for all of ARCA West’s operations in Canada.

"The partnership with ARCA West enhances our commitment to the sport of stock car racing in Canada," said Ball. "I believe the timing is perfect and it provides the drivers, teams and corporate partners of the Series a new level of challenge and opportunity in oval racing in North America.

"The ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series features template bodied, straight rail late models with drivers from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada competing in a fast, fun and affordable touring series.

The series is a licensee of the nationally-based Automobile Racing Club of America and provides a West coast connection to the ARCA Sanctioning body.

For more information on the ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series, visit www.latemodelchallenge.com .For information on ARCA, visit www.arcaracing.com .

(h/t Rod Ormon justturnleft.ca)