DARLINGTON, S.C. – Effective October 1, Manheim’s Clanton’s Auto Auction in Darlington will change its name to Manheim’s Darlington Auto Auction.

The new name better reflects the facility’s strong ties with the community and the adjacent Darlington Raceway, one of the best-known NASCAR tracks in the country.

“We want to strengthen relationships and be identified geographically with the race track and the community as a whole,” said Cotton Edwards, general manager since August 2005.

In addition to the name change, the facility is undergoing a physical transformation with the construction of two new auction lanes set for completion in early 2007. Clanton’s Auto Auction, the country’s second oldest auction, opened in 1943 and was regarded as a premier auction on the East Coast for many years.

When Edwards joined Clanton’s in 2005, he and his management staff sought to revitalize the operating location’s reputation for customer service, creating a new atmosphere for customers and employees.

As a result, the operating location has secured several new fleet consignor contracts, and dealer consignment sales have nearly doubled since last August.