Citizens from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley have been asked to help design the trophy for Supercars’ Coates Hire Newcastle 500 season finale.

A competition has been devised asking for the local community to submit designs for the event trophy, which will be presented to drivers at the inaugural running of the race from November 24-26.

Participants have been asked to submit designs for a unique trophy which reflects Newcastle and the Hunter Region.

The competition is due to be launched from July 1-31 with the winner announced on August 2.

Six-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup will feature among the panel of judges which will include, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Supercars chief executive James Warburton, Newcastle rugby league legend Paul “Chief” Harragon, the Newcastle Herald’s Ross Melville and Coates Hire national marketing and sponsorship Manager Elle Fleming.

“We are looking for anyone in the Hunter or Central Coast region to design the inaugural Coates Hire Newcastle 500 Supercars trophy,” said Lord Mayor Nelmes.

“The competition is open to participants of any age or background. We are looking for innovative ideas that promote iconic places in Newcastle.

“We are hoping this will spark interest in lots of local budding artists or established artists in the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast to put in their designs.”

The competition will be held in conjunction with the Newcastle Herald newspaper.

Meanwhile, track works are already well underway to construct the 2.6km Newcastle street circuit.