ELLERBE — Rex Crouch and the Ellerbe Lions Club are hosting their third race of this year’s Lawn Mower Racing season Saturday evening.
This weekend’s event will be the follow up to the club’s national event that was held last month in Ellerbe. That race — which featured competitors from Virginia, Georgia, New York, Michigan and a few other states — was the fifth national race that Crouch had dedicated to a specific cause.
He has named the benefit race “Racing for Taylor” in order to support his daughter and raise money for JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). The club was able to raise a little more than $2,000 that April weekend.
“It was a lot work and a lot of headache, but it’s really neat to get people from all over the country here to support your cause and race with you,” Crouch said. “There were a lot of new guys I’ve never met who really liked the track.”
Gates for Saturday’s local race open at 3 p.m. and racing begins at 6 p.m. There is a $5 fee for spectators, but kids six and under are free. There will be food vendors and activities (foot races, water-balloon tosses, etc.) for the children during halftime.
Crouch says he’s expecting 30 racers to compete in what he calls “a good family event.”
“It’s supposed to be nice weather,” he said. “We’re getting this rain out of here (Thursday) night and then it’s going to cool off and make things a lot better.”
For more information, call Crouch at 910-995-0750 or visit Ellerbe Lions Club Lawn Mower Racing on Facebook.
Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.