Update for June 25
An update from the filmmaker:

We are having red carpet premier event on June 29,8:00pm at the Admiral Theater in West Seattle. It was filmed here locally around the Seattle area by Jay Rowlands who is a local writer/director/actor from West Seattle.

The film is CLUTCH, a full feature-length dramatic action film that tells the story of a struggling small town racer who finds out there are no short cuts to victory lane. Race driver Travis Engels risks his life, friends and freedom when he takes a wrong turn in his attempts to support his racing.

CLUTCH is a full-throttle effort to tell a story about the truth and integrity of basic humanity while combining the elements of action, romance, comedy and human emotion.

Clutch has over 80 + muscle cars in the film including a 1969 Penske/Sonoco Camaro valued at over $750,000 and many other very expensive/rare cars. Clutch has been in them making for 12 years but with Jays patience, hard work and huge dedication it's ready for its red carpet premier June 29.

The movie trailer can be viewed at www.clutchthemovie.com.

Original story on April 25
West Seattle’s Jay Rowlands has been in love with cars, motorcycles and racing since early childhood and now, much farther down the road, that lifelong passion is coming to life with his independently financed, written, produced and directed racing film called “Clutch,” set for a June release.

Over the course of 12 years, Rowlands said he worked as a bartender while honing his acting and directing skills, and pulled off his dream film that hearkens back to old-school muscle car racing flicks.

He financed the film independently and will be selling it independently as well. In addition to the June 25 release, he said the Admiral Theater in West Seattle will hold a public “Exclusive World Premiere” on June 29 at 8:30 p.m.

We asked Rowlands to describe the process of making (he also acts in it) a film over 12 years, to which he replied, “Insane, amazing, life changing, character building journey … full of learning, creativity, collaboration, lots of friendship and hard work.”

As for how it feels to know his baby will be unleashed upon the public in June, he said, “It feels invigorating … and much overdue!”

He shot the movie in the Pacific Northwest and used 150 vehicles, half of those classic muscle cars including a coveted ’69 Penske Camaro racecar, valued at $750,000.

For more information and background on the film, visit the Clutch website at www.clutchthemovie.com.