Moonee Valley has welcomed Jeep Australia as the New ' Jeep 55 Second Challenge ' sponsor.

The City Jeep 2014/15 Friday Night Racing Season kicks off with a bang on Grand Final Eve with a bumper card. The first night meeting of the season, signals the start of the popular 955m  “55 Second Challenge” now sponsored by Jeep Australia.

A leg of the Jeep 55 Second Challenge will be held at each of The Valley’s 16 Night meetings. Each heat will carry $55,000 in prizemoney with the exception of Sportingbet Manikato Stakes Night where prizemoney is boosted to $100,000.

The defending champion of the 2013/14 series Minaj (55.36 sec) has been nominated to compete on Friday night, as has the 2012/13 series winner and race record holder Vatican (54.69). Champion sprinter Lankan Rupee (55.56 sec) won heat two in 2013/14. Lankan Rupee has since won three Group One races and is Friday’s headline act in the Group One City Jeep Moir Stakes.

Moonee Valley Racing Club CEO Michael Browell commented on the impact of Jeep’s expanding support of not just Moonee Valley but the racing industry across the board.

‘’We’re thrilled to have City Jeep and Jeep Australia as major sponsors of The Valley.’ said Browell.

‘’To think their sponsorship started with a single race five years ago, and has now blossomed into City Jeep’s sponsorship of the entire Night Racing Season and Jeep’s sponsorship of the ‘55 second challenge’

‘‘It’s a great outcome for the club and its members and we look forward to working with Jeep & City Jeep to ensure their sponsorship delivers.’’

Jeep have put up a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited valued at $70,000 for the trainer of the horse who posts the fastest time during the series. Jeep also sponsors a host of Victorian based Jockeys.

The City Jeep Night Racing Season culminates with the running of the Group One Hacer Group William Reid Stakes on Friday 27 March 2015.