Three years ago, the United Bikers of Maine began staging semi-pro flat track motorcycle races at Bass Park in Bangor. This year’s edition of the event, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, promises plenty of high-speed competition and what UBM Region 4 vice president Jim Chichetto of Etna called a revamped atmosphere.

Chichetto said the UBM is promoting the event as a family activity and using the races as a means to aid area charities. A portion of the proceeds, and money from a 50-50 raffle drawing, will benefit the Warren Center for Communications and Learning in Bangor. Members of the Children’s Miracle Network will sell refreshments at the two-day event with the money earned going to the CMN coffers.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m. both days and practice starts at noon. Racing begins at 1 p.m. For a $10 admission fee – or $15 for both days – the public can watch a series of races that range from a heat for children to a class for high-end Harley Davidson machines. Children under 12 are admitted free.

“I took over the event this year and killed off a three-day drunken bash,” said Chichetto. “… We want to move the UBM forward from acting like idiots [and make the event something to] enjoy, where you can stay sober and leave at 7 p.m. without a hangover and leaving a trashpile behind you.”

A total purse of $5,000 will be awarded for the 13 events that will feature bikers from throughout New England. The event is sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association.

The UBM is a 27-year-old organization with about 4,200 members. It is known as a group that takes political stands on helmet laws and other matters. Seth Mintz of Holden, a UBM representative and another organizer of the event, said the group is a member of the greater Bangor area Chamber of Commerce and hopes to realign its once intimidating image by offering a weekend event that is fun and can link the general public to the world of motorcycling.

Mintz envisions an expansion of the race in future years to a national event that would attract professional motorcycle racers to Bangor – and possibly millions of dollars to the local economy. Chichetto would like to see two races in Maine per year, and hopes to encourage area bikers to build their own cycles and seek local sponsorships.

Between 80 and 100 riders will compete this weekend, and Chichetto estimates that only 15 will hail from Maine.

The race is part of a New England series of semi-professional flat track racing, so the riders are not just gunning to win individual races, they are also trying to build up points in the standings. The Bass Park event is the 13th of 20 race series dates.

Brent Hicks of Plymouth, the New England Motorcross champion on his Central Maine Harley Davidson 883, was expected to compete. But Chichetto said Hicks recently broke his collarbone and will be relegated to the sidelines.

Santerre holding sponsor raffle

NASCAR Busch Series driver Andy Santerre, a native of Cherryfield, is offering fans a chance to sponsor a section of his No. 44 race car for the nationally televised Busch North Series event slated for Sept. 16 at the New Hampshire International Speedway. All proceeds from Santerre’s promotion will benefit the Choose Life Foundation, Inc., an organization founded by Beth Wright of Addison, who died Wednesday after a long battle with breast cancer.

A $5 raffle ticket earns fans the chance to sponsor the trunk deck on Santerre’s car. The winner and a guest also will be named honorary pit crew members, receive a tour of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series garage, be honored as special guests at the Andy Santerre fan appreciation party, and receive a night’s lodging in the greater Concord, N.H., area and $50 spending money. The winner and guest must be more than 18 years old.

Santerre and his wife, Sue, came up with the idea one night while watching racing on television. Santerre had long wanted to do something to aid the Choose Life Foundation and his close friend Wright.

Wright was diagnosed with cancer in 1997, seven months after the birth of her first child. She underwent chemotherapy but the cancer returned two years later and doctors gave her less than a year to live.

That’s when Wright founded the Choose Life Foundation, which distributes inspirational and educational literature to facilities that treat cancer patients.

To purchase a ticket, send check or money order to The Choose Life Foundation, Inc., c/o Andy Santerre Fan Club, P.O. Box 994, Harrisburg, NC 28075. Include name, address and telephone number. Participants will receive a raffle stub in the mail, and the drawing will be held the week of September 1. The winner will be notified by telephone by September 6. For more information contact Sue Santerre at 704-454-5790 or at SanterrePR@msn.com.

Donations may be sent directly to the Choose Life Foundation, c/o Wayne Wright, RR 1, Box 879, Addison, 04606.