Wild happenings at raceway in 24 hours of LeMons

The 24 Hours of LeMons will endure the twists and turns of Sonoma Raceway as the one-of-a-kind series kicks off its 2017 season during the annual Sears Pointless race weekend this Saturday and Sunday.

The raceway will take a break from sleek-bodied, million-dollar pieces of engineering and racing brilliance for the likes of RVs going toe-to-toe with Porsches and Pintos. Spectators may wonder what exactly they are watching as entries, including the “Days of Thunder-Six Feet Under” Volvo of Sonoma and “Redneck Outlaws” BMW out of Vacaville attempt to complete one of the world’s most unique endurance races. The 24 Hours of LeMons is restricted to cars that were purchased, fixed up, and track-prepped for a total of $500 or less.

Almost 200 teams are entered for this weekend’s event in Sonoma, which jump starts the series’ seven-race West Coast schedule in 2017. Prepare for plenty of noise, wacky penalties, water fights and questionably civilized fun before, during and after the on-track sessions 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.

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 nonprofit organizations through Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway.

The weekend will feature racing from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Sunday.