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Last updated on Tuesday, July 29, 2014
(MITCHELL) - The Fourth Annual Mitchell Hillbilly 500 is Saturday.
Dan Kemple, one of the founding organizers, is expecting a large number of racers this year.
The race will kick off a noon, with registration from 9:30 a.m. till 11 a.m. at the top of the hill on Teke Burton Drive, near Hoosier Hills Credit Union. Late registrations will not be accepted.
The idea is to build a cart, without a motor, with whatever the creator can find. In the past, carts have been made using bicycle tires, lawn chairs, wheelchair wheels, wood and pipes. Others are sleeker, created to look like buses or race cars.
Teke Burton Drive will be closed to traffic from Orchard Street north Street beginning Friday, so crews can set up a 500-foot ramp and line the street with bales of straw for safety.
Those willing to help can volunteer both Friday night and Saturday morning and after the race Saturday afternoon.
Spectators are as much a part of the Mitchell Hillbilly 500 as the participants. Many make plans to spend all day at the annual race, setting up lawn chairs and picnic areas for their families and friends.
The race is free to attend and enter, but organizers are asked participants and those watching donate a nonperishable food item to Lawrence InterFaith Endeavor, food pantry.
Z102 (102.5 WPHZ ) will be broadcasting live and conducting interviews and commentary on race day. They will also be selling Hillbilly 500 Race t-shirts for $2.
Anyone age 5 and older can race. The race is divided into four different age groups, based on age. In each age group, there will be a winner. Then, in addition, overall awards will be given out for Mayor's Choice, Z102 Radio Choice, Most Outrageous Cart, Most Hillbilly-Themed Cart and to the team showing the most spirit.
For more information on the race, check out "Mitchell Hillbilly 500" on Facebook or stop by Sipes Body & Glass, 1001 Seventh St., during regular business hours.
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