ROCKINGHAM — Crowds from multiple states were in Richmond County this weekend participating in simultaneous events at both Rockingham Dragway and Rockingham Speedway.
More than 2,000 “Maniacs” tested their endurance in the Rugged Maniac obstacle course, climbing nets, crawling through mud, jumping over fire and ziplining across water.
There were more than 20 challenges in the 3.1-mile course that took participants down one side of the drag strip and back up and around to a field out back and ended with a splash-down slide.
One participant told another that he had been competing in the course for a decade.
Dragway owner Steve Earwood said Monday that a date has already been set for April of 2022.
Across the street, Rockingham Speedway was “roaring back to life” with several events going on at the same time.
At the back of the property, between the Little Rock and the solar farm, Guardians Entertainment held the inaugural First Responders Royale paintball tournament, featuring eight three-man teams with members from the Carolinas, Michigan, Florida and Georgia, according to Justin Jones, vice president of operations for the speedway.
The event featured several special guests, including Sir Purr and the Carolina Panthers Top Cats and Ryan “Daddy” Richards, from CMT’s “Party Down South.”
“For the first event, I’m happy with the turnout,” Jones said, adding that there is room to grow at the paintball course.
Over at the track, Motorsport 4the Masses was holding “thrill rides” on the road course and also managing laps around the oval.
Jones said a “handsome percentage” of the proceeds from the day’s events will go toward the Wounded Warrior Project and the First Responder’s Foundation. On Monday evening, Jones said they were still working on a total.
Earlier this month, M4TM was at the Little Rock while MB Drift held its third-round competition on the road course. The group also has events scheduled for Aug. 14, Oct. 2 and Nov. 20.
“The partnership has been beneficial to us both,” Jones said.
The Monster Truckz Mayhem Tour comes to the speedway this weekend and MB Drift returns July 17.
Both tracks have events slated for the weekends throughout the summer.
