Caltex Havoline Racing supports star day.

Caltex Havoline Racing's Russell Ingall will carry a different livery on his Ford during the third round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Pukekohe in New Zealand next week.

The corporate Caltex star usually seen on the side of his BA Falcon will be replaced by a large yellow star to promote Star Day, the annual national fundraising event of the Starlight Children's Foundation.

Since its inception in 1988, the Starlight Children's Foundation has brightened the lives seriously ill and hospitalised children and their families throughout Australia and Caltex Australia has been a major supporter of the foundation for several years.

Ingall was visited by young race fan, Blake Sauer, during a test session last week. The eight year-old juvenile arthritis sufferer had the chance to 'hang out' with the Caltex Havoline Racing team for the day and help put the finishing touches on the new livery for the New Zealand round.

Ingall, a former two-time Bathurst champion, also paid a visit to the Starlight Express Room at Brisbane's Mater Children's Hospital yesterday where he signed posters and race hats for dozens of ill children.

"When you visit places like the Starlight Express Rooms and you meet some of these fantastic little kids, you just realise how lucky you are," said Ingall.

"The job done by the Starlight Children's Foundation is fantastic and I am proud to be a part of Star Day through my association with Caltex.

"I hope everyone really digs deep into their pockets and supports Star Day. I would love to give the cause some extra publicity with a big result in New Zealand."

Over 600,000 children will be hospitalised in the next 12 months and 6,000 will be diagnosed with a serious illness. Starlight's programs currently reach about 200,000 seriously ill children and their families, which is why the funds raised from this year's national campaign are vital to expand Starlight's entertainment programs to reach more children.

The Star Day campaign runs from mid April to mid May.