Be there: Clunker cars take to SC race track Saturday

WHAT: 24 Hours of LeMons South Fall Event

WHERE: Carolina Motorsports Park, 3662 Kershaw Highway, Kershaw

WHEN: 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20

If you’ve ever owned a car that could be classified as a “lemon,” then odds are, the last thing you’d consider doing is racing it.

But come this weekend, that’s exactly what you’ll find circling Carolina Motorsports Park at “24 Hours of LeMons,” an endurance race designed for clunkers that cost less than $500.

The California-based event company has been entertaining local car enthusiasts and the like at Carolina Motorsports Park since spring 2009, drawing interest from a motley crew of jalopies vying for several prizes, including $600 in cold, hard nickels.

Yes, nickels.

“Last year, the winner did a grand total of 377 laps,” said Nick Pon, a member of the automotive brain trust that puts the event together. “Most of our races run about 14 hours.”

The 14 hours are broken up over the course of two days, with an overnight break. The longer you can stay in the car, the better, but there are variables like mechanical failure, driving off track or even having an on-track incident which, as in standard racing, is prohibited.

So even though this race may sound like a recipe for an awesome monster-truck-style smash-up, don’t expect too many.

At least not on purpose.

“The contact was a main part of our races early on, but then we realized that ruins everyone’s day, being in a constant car accident,” said Pon. “So now, our races are pretty clean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t race a camper.”

It’s that sense of quirkiness that keeps attendees racing back to the track. In fact, the event is so beloved that downtown Camden will host a free block party Friday night in its honor.

“One thing that I think is nice about LeMons is you can enjoy it however you want to,” said Pon. “Every other form of competitive wheel-to-wheel racing, the only point is to win. And if you come in second or later, you’ve failed. At LeMons, our priority is to keep everyone safe and to have a good time.”

THE VIBE: According to Pon, the event was created for car guys who either weren’t talented, well-funded or serious enough to do the other kinds of road racing. So expect a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of entertainment provided by the racers and the four-wheeled contraptions they race in.

THE VERDICT: You’d have to be a pretty sour person not to find the humor in this race. Everyone can relate to driving or being driven in a lemon. So here’s your chance to relive that experience from a safe distance, having a good laugh in the process.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 8:01 PM with the headline "Be there: Clunker cars take to SC race track Saturday."