The seventh staging of the Racers Grand Prix has been well promoted, but the lack of world-class international stars has not generated the expected buzz leading up to the event set to start at 7:00 pm tonight (June 7) inside the National Stadium.

The event, which was created by the Racers Track Club in 2016, had the pulling power of Usain Bolt but not anymore. The plethora of international crowd-pulling elite athletes is missing.

This is obvious as the biggest international athlete set to come in 2025 is South African teenage sprinting sensation Bayanda Walaza — the world Under-20 champion in both the 100m and 200m.

There are no names outside of the Jamaican stars that would make fans travel miles to see.

But as usual, Jamaica being the sprint capital of the world, the blue-ribbon event — the 100m — will once again take the spotlight with two interesting line-ups.

In the men’s section, Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson comes face-to-face with fellow Jamaican Oblique Seville as they battle to prove who is the island’s premier sprinter.

Both are talented but fragile, and the long-term successor to Bolt is still up in the air, although Thompson, with his Olympic silver medal, has a genuine claim.

But both will have to be wary of the emerging South African Walaza who is still on the improve.

Jamaica’s premier sprinter and pulling card Shericka Jackson will not be in the 100m but instead in the 200m. However, that doesn’t take anything away from the event.

What with the likes of twin sisters Tia and Tina Clayton on the verge of officially announcing the changing of the guard in Jamaica, eyes will be on them to see what they will deliver.

Ashanti Moore has looked improved, and the addition of Alana Reid, Kemba Nelson, Americans Jacious Sears and Mikiah Brisco will make this an interesting event.

The inclusion of the world record holder over the 110 hurdles, Tobi Amusan, who has promised to break through in the flat event, will have to be watched and adds another level of excitement to the event.

Shericka Jackson will be in her pet event the 200m and will line up against Americans Candace Hill, Caisja Chandler, Audrey Leduc of Canada and Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas.

Jackson should prove too hot to handle but Jamaica’s Neisha Burger could make her presence felt along with Jodean Williams.

All eyes will be on the returning Christopher Taylor in the men’s 200m. He opened his season in the 400m a few weeks ago and should have most to fear from South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, who has a personal best of 20.01s and Naeem Jack (20.13s).

This might be the breakout year for Jamaica’s Bryan Levell, and along with Jevaughn Powell should make this an interesting race.

American Chris Bailey should capitalise on the absence of Jamaican world champion Antonio Watson and win the 400m. His countryman Elija Godwin, who has a personal best of 44.34s, takes on the Jamaicans Rusheen McDonald, Demish Gaye and Zandrion Barnes, who could announce himself tonight.

The Men’s long jump could provide some fireworks as Jamaica’s Olympic silver medallist Wayne Pinnock takes on Jarrion Lawson of the USA.

The organisers will introduce trackside cabanas, a premium viewing option, in an effort to shore up the fan experience. These VIP cabanas can host up to 12 people, and the price package includes food and drinks.