Crawlfest set this weekend

MAPLETON -- Novice off-roaders who are looking for a challenge may find an opportunity at the Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Crawlfest Competition this weekend.

The event, geared toward novice competitors, is a rock crawling event designed to not put pressure on contestants and create a fun environment where off-road enthusiasts can challenge each other on a level playing field. It is set to take place Saturday, Sept. 8, at the park, located at 2051 130th Street.

"We put it on to bring people together," David Killion, founder and president of the Kanrocks Recreation Association, said. "We lay out a course and let them compete like they do in national competitions, only on a smaller level. People can see what they and their vehicles can do in a safe arena."

Courses are designed to challenge novice drivers, but also to minimize the chance of vehicle damage with an emphasis on safety.

"We keep safety in mind with the obstacles," Killion said.

There will be a class for 36-inch tires and smaller and one for 37-inch tires and taller. Trophies and small cash prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third- place winners in each division, he said.

Each driver is given a 10-minute time limit to complete a path over the obstacles in the competition area. The intent is for the driver and spotter to negotiate the course with fewer mistakes than their fellow competitors.

"Each contest is different; the course is laid out differently," Killion said, adding everything takes place within a 50-yard area and pylons mark each course. There are two judges per obstacle who monitor contestants.

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. with driver check-in, followed by a meeting and technical inspection at 9 a.m. Rock crawling events begin at 10 a.m.

"We want to make sure they're safe and have all the requirements," Killion said.

The event is spectator-friendly and costs $5 to watch.

"People will get a better idea of what rock crawling is," Killion said. "The stuff on TV is crazy, crazy stuff. This is on a level people can understand, and they get an idea of what drivers are up against. It's not a high-speed, race-type atmosphere. It's pretty slow going, actually."

There will be a $25 entry fee for competitors which includes access to the trails for the day. Killion said $10 of each entry fee goes toward the competition and is paid out as prize money, while the remaining $15 is the park entry fee and goes toward further development and maintenance for the facility.

There are generally about 15-25 entrants per event. Contestants come from the immediate area as well as Kansas City, Topeka, Lawrence and Joplin, Mo. Vehicles in the competition range from Suzuki Samaurais to Toyota trucks and Jeeps, Cherokees and "purpose-built rock crawlers," Killion said.

Crawlfests are held each spring and fall.

For more information, visit www.ksrockspark.com. The site also contains a full calendar of events for the park.

Killion said there is a "big, family-oriented event" coming up at the park in October.

The park, owned by Kanrocks Recreation Association, opened in 2003 and encloses 220 acres and more than 65 trails and obstacles.