CARIBOU – Snowmobilers have a chance this weekend to help raise money for sexual assault victims and services in Aroostook County, and they can do it by riding with two race car drivers, one a champion in the NASCAR Busch North Series.

Andy Santerre, 2004 Busch North Series champion, and Steve Prescott, a driver in the Craftsmen Truck Series, will both be at the first Snowmobile Run to benefit the Sexual Assault Services of Aroostook County Saturday.

Santerre, 36, a native of Cherryfield, drives the number 6 Aubuchon Hardware Monte Carol. He is a three-time NASCAR Busch North champion and the series’ most popular driver in 1994, 2002 and 2003. He has been racing for 14 years, 10 in the Busch series.

Registration for the 75-mile snowmobile ride starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. The ride starts at 11 a.m. There will be an autograph sessions poolside at the Caribou Inn at 4:30 p.m., supper at 6 p.m., and an auction at 7:30 p.m.

“We have all kinds of NASCAR memorabilia at the auction,” Joyce Knorr, marketing and development specialist, said Monday. “This is all done to increase awareness of sexual assault services in Aroostook County, and to raise money to replace cuts made in grant programs.

“Our goal is to keep the service alive and well in Aroostook County,” she added. “It is the only such service in Aroostook County.”

The ride with Santerre and Prescott starts at the Caribou Inn on Route 83A, goes onto 83B, to ITS 83 to Stockholm, over to Perham, Washburn and back to Caribou. There are rest stops along the way.

Organizers are hoping to get their message out and raise money for the cause. The services they offer are free. Knorr said one in seven women in Maine are affected by the problem.

They also sponsor education programs in schools, prevention programs, a hotline for victims of sexual abuse, support groups for victims, and they train first responders answering calls.

“We have a dream of raising $20,000,” Knorr said. “This is our first shot at this and our goal is high.

“We have to reach for the stars,” she said. “People who can’t come but want to help can make donations. We need support to keep this going in Aroostook County.”

The Saturday night auction has all kinds of things for NASCAR fans including two tickets to the July 2005 race at New Hampshire International Speedway at Loudon, N.H. They also have memorabilia donated by NASCAR drivers including Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Bobby Labonte, Kenny Wallace, Randy Lajoie and others.

The donation for the snowmobile run is $25. The buffet supper at the Caribou Inn is $20 and there is a $5 cover charge for the auction.

The snowmobile run is sponsored by Aroostook Mental Health Services Inc., County Sports Inc., the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.