The 2nd Annual Dirt Track Derby race is set for Saturday, September 11, once again to be held at the home of Chris and Kim Poole in Belah.

Last year, over 1,000 people attended the inaugural event that featured contestants enter vehicles they bought or spent a maximum of $500 total, meaning that most of the entries were worn out cars and trucks.

The races resemble go-kart style racing, with pushing, bumping, and side-swiping, all while racing around a homemade track on the Poole’s property. This year, more trees have been removed to allow for even faster racing.

The event last year was held as the parish was coming off major pandemic restrictions and just after much of the parish was without electricity from Hurricane Laura.

“It was great last year and we raised nearly $9,000 for the APPLES program,” said event organizer Kim Poole. “Everyone last year wanted to do it again so here we are! This year will be even bigger and we’re expecting an even larger crowd – probably three times the size from last year.”

Because the event is being held on the 20th Anniversary of 9-11, a special ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. prior to the races.

“Our 9-11 Memorial Tribute will take place before the races start at 9 and we’ll have the LaSalle Parish Veterans Honor Guard here along with the Fellowship-Eden Fire Department who will all participate in the special program,” she continued.

The 2nd Annual Dirt Track Derby will once again be raising money for the APPLES program, done so by donations from those attending.

“The cost to get into the races is a donation (from your heart) to the LaSalle Parish APPLES program for underprivileged children,” Poole added. “Everyone must sign a release to attend and armbands showing the release has been signed will be given before entering the property.”

Along with raising money for the APPLES program, other groups will be at the races raising money for other worthy projects.

“We’ll have food being sold that will go to St. Jude’s Children Hospital and Operation Graduation 2022 will be operating a snow cone stand to raise money for their event,” she said. “Everything happening that day will benefit a charitable organization.”

Those attending will also be able to purchase raffle tickets for great prizes that will be sold for $1 a piece. Drawings for the prizes will be held throughout the day.

Gates will open for the public at 7 a.m. with the 9-11 Memorial Tribute set to start the day’s festivities off at 9 a.m. The track’s location is at 122 Whispering Pines Road, Trout, or, from LA 8, take LA 773 towards Belah, go past Fellowship Elementary School, and follow the signs.

Those attending the races should bring their own lawn chairs and open-sided tents are allowed. Positioning of chairs and tents are available on a first come-first serve basis.

For those daring to enter a vehicle in the races the entry fee is $50. Racers will be divided up by engine size and organizers say the windshield must be left on the vehicle.

“All the windows must be rolled down and other glass has to be re moved, although plastic headlights and taillights can be left in place,” she said. “All racers must race with a helmet on and they must also have a fire extinguisher inside their vehicle.”

Kim said that if they sell all of the koozies and shirts that have been ordered, they will make more than $15,000 just in those sales alone.

“We are praying we do amazing because the APPLES program is a great program for our parish that helps so many children each year,” she said.

For more information about the races, you may visit their Facebook page, Dirt Track Derby, or contact Chris Poole at (318) 613-9286 or Kim Poole at (318) 613-7302.