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Last updated on Monday, July 2, 2012
(MITCHELL) - There are about five weeks left for participants of this year’s Hillbilly 500 race to build a cart. Last year’s Hillbilly 500 was a great success, drawing hundreds of spectators to the race.
Last year 28 racers registered. Organized by Dan and Kellie Kemple, Eddie McLain, Ron Marsh, Jim Gaddis and Doug Duncan, the race will feature four age groups: kids ages 5-8, kids ages 9-13, teens ages 14-17 and adults older than 18.
Already organizers are grabbing sponsorships, adding attractions and staging roadblocks. Racers and spectators will be charged a canned good as an entry fee to benefit the Lawrence Interfaith Endeavor food pantry.
It's important to remember that the race isn't a soapbox derby - it's a "hillbilly" race, meaning that the carts resemble hillbilly jalopies with only steering, brakes and four wheels in common. There are no motors; the carts are required to free-roll down a ramp for 500 feet. The first one across the finish line wins. A cart last year was clocked at 26 mph.
This year's race will start at noon on Aug. 4. Teke Burton Drive will close from just north of Orchard Street down to Main Street for the race, which will happen annually on the first Saturday in August.
More information can be found at www.mitchell500.com.
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