WV mud bog truck
As the spring rains pour down and the sticky clay mud gets thick, one thing pops into my mind, “Mud Bogs”. My son Cody and a group of his friends shared a new hobby with us old folks. It turned out tobe a lot of fun for the whole family and we will be at some races this year.
I know that every area of the country has its own version of ways to tear up, show off, and enjoy their trucks. Here in the east it just rains so much that everyday life in the country involves mud. Mud Bog races are a just a natural country way to blow off steam and share an afternoon with your friends. Racers come on many levels, they included the family owned trucks used everyday, to the most high-tech nitro injected speed racers that are on the market today. Some of the teams are just families out for a good time and other racers get sponsors and tour the summer working with companies like Summit Racing. It is unusual in this modern world to see both ends of the money spectrum working in the same open fields under the same conditions laughing and joking together. It is the atmosphere of good clean fun ( or maybe dirty depending on your point of view) that made our first Mud Bog Race so impressive.
Fathers day weekend ( 2012) my family joined my oldest son( Cody) at one of his favorite weekend events. Tom thought it would be a nice way for the families to celebrate Father’s day so we jumped in the pickup and headed out to our first official “Mud Bog Race” at Holly Gray state park near Flatwoods, W.V.
Holly Gray state park and the truck waiting to race and the fans in the sun
As my family got comfortable in the grass and set up our chairs and coolers, I took off with my daughter-in-law to get photos of the racers trucks. We talked to some of the wonderful people and got up close to some of the most expensive trucks at this event. The noise was deafening on the other side of the pit. The engines roared and smoke-filled the air, the constant rumble of the ground made all of us excited. We could not wait to see the prize winner at the end of the day. My two sons,ages 3 and 21 , waited with excitement to see who got stuck in the sticky mud and who was able to power through. Many of the trucks would need help to get back out of the pits. Tractors and Track Hoes were standing by to drag many of the race trucks back out this day. The best trucks were able to make several passes through the pit and reach the finals. Ending the day with the truck with the fastest time claiming the 1500.00 in prize money.
nitro injected race truck
Ford truck stuck in the mud
I was happy and relieved to see that their were lots of venders and food carts at the event. The food was great and added that festival feeling.We eat hot Bratwurst and pizza in the sun and drank homemade birch beer and cream soda from huge mugs. The races last all day and at times,the raceing continues into the night, families come and go as time passes. The cost for these events is very afford able for a family. We paid 5.00 per adult and 2.00 for Christopher who was under 6 at the time. A little better price then a local movie and the food was cheaper than a large popcorn .
Tom and I eventually picked out some trucks to cheer for and I took pictures of the ones we thought had the best chances of winning their heats. My personal favorite of the day was a truck from Morgain Town, W.V. titled “SunStroke” built on an antique Willies frame painted bright orange. He was not the over all winner this day but the truck did get through several rounds of races.
SunStroke plowing through the mud
Tom on the other hand waited to see some of the high performance racers hit the pits… their were several that were worth watching and reminded me of drag cars. This one was one of the fastest in the pits this day.
high performance mud racer Wild 1
Tom, Christopher and I ended our day around 6:00pm that afternoon. All three of us were a little sunburned ( I got the worst of it) and learned a lot about the hobby of thousands of West Virginians. We were totally surprised that the roaring engines did not bother either of the young ones we took with us. They loved playing outside in grass and watching the speeding trucks as much as we did. It was great way to share family time in the outdoors in a friendly atmosphere. I can now understand why Cody invited his Dad to advent like this on Father’s Day. It was a very bonding day for my boys and their Dad. I am sure that if their is another race this Fathers Day we will be ready to play in the mud again.
my family and friends at the Father’s Day Mud Bog Race 2012
West Virginia Mountain Mama 