Beaters compete in wacky races

Winners’ purses paid in nickels|

One of the world’s most unique endurance races returns to Sonoma Raceway this weekend, as the 24 Hours of LeMons hosts its season finale on the wine country road course, Dec. 2-3.

The “Arse-Freeze-Apalooza” features a full field of entries that cost no more than $500 to purchase, fix-up and prepare. Put away your notions of sleek-bodied, turbo-charged pieces of engineering brilliance and prepare yourself for the likes of RVs going toe-to-toe with Cadillacs and station wagons. This is a one-of-a-kind endurance race that you have to see to believe.

Prepare for plenty of noise, wacky penalties and questionably civilized fun before, during and after the on-track action on Saturday and Sunday. Following the checkered flag, there’s the gala awards ceremony, wherein trophies and plaques are presented and the winners’ purses are paid out in nickels.

Nearly 200 teams are entered for the 24 Hours of LeMons’ final event of the year, which featured seven events on the West Region in 2017. Those vying for victory at this wacky event will include a variety of themed entries, including Taco Ninjas, Cow Fart Racing, Hong Kong Cavaliers, Nachofriend, Safety Third and Go Go Godzilla, to name just a few.

While all this foolishness is primarily done in the name of fun, it’s also done in the name of charity, as a portion of proceeds benefit Sonoma County non-profit organizations through Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway.

All-access spectator tickets are $30 at the gate, and kids 16 and under are admitted free. The weekend will feature racing from 10 a.m. to dusk on Saturday and 9 a.m. to dusk on Sunday.

For more information, including the official “How Not to Fail Tech Inspection” guide, visit 24hoursoflemons.com or follow on Twitter and Instagram @24HoursofLeMons and at facebook.com/24hoursoflemons.

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