Special to The Hays Daily News

Ten "celebrities" from a five-county area that includes Ellis, Rooks, Rush, Russell, and Trego counties will be competing in a race at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the RPM Speedway while raising money for their local Big Brothers Big Sisters programs.

Residents from each county were invited to participate in the race and asked to raise at least $1,000. Last year Patty Stull of Coldwell Banker Executive Realty raised more than $4,000 and led the parade at the racetrack preceding the event.

Race Cars and Superstars will be a featured event during intermission with the drivers competing for the coveted Sterling Silver Winner's Cup Trophy. The traveling trophy will be engraved with the winner's name and guarantees the winner a chance to defend their title next year. The person that raises the most money will get to choose their position in the race. Each driver will have three laps, with the first lap used to get their speed up. At the beginning of the second lap, they will "take the flag" and run their race. The Winner's Cup will be presented to the driver with the lowest time.

The driver from Rooks County is Greg Beougher, who took home the winner's cup last year with the fastest time, representing Stockton National Bank. Drivers from Russell County include Audrey Varner with PVP Mortuary and Jeff McQuade from Owen's Pumping Service. Representing Rush County is Ryan Cornelsen and from Trego County, Travis Phillips. Ellis County drivers include Tim Gassmann with Adronics; Gina Riedel, formerly with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce; Casey McAvoy with Eagle Community TV; Todd Haskell with KKQY 102 FM; and Bob Wertenberger with Paul Wertenberger Construction.

Sponsors for the event include Ken Pfeifer Salvage, Advantage Glass Plus and D and L Body Shop with additional sponsors being solicited. Year around Platinum Sponsors of Big Brothers Big Sisters are Eagle Communications, Phase 2, Marcy and Dale Allenbaugh, Jeff and Marla Copper, Robert and Patricia Schmidt, Steve's Electric and Roustabout Co., Lifetime Dental Care, Next-Tech, Rural Telephone, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, A&A Coors, LINK and United Way of Ellis County.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides one-to-one mentors from school-aged children in a school or community setting. By providing positive role models, encouragement, and exposure to healthy activities, these children develop positive habits, attitudes and better self-esteem, thereby realizing their potential as adults.