AUGUSTA – The Northeast Motorsports Expo & Trade Show will hold its 20th annual showcase this weekend at the Augista Civic Center.

Festivities for the three-day weekend kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, and continues through Sunday, Jan. 6.

Highlights include legendary Oxford Plains Speedway track announcer Bobby Walker signing copies of his new book, “I Couldn’t Drive – But I Could Talk,” all weekend. The 400-plus page book is filled with photos of the speedway’s past and stories of many of racing’s personalities as told by Walker.

PASS North champion Ben Rowe and PASS South champion Ryan Lawler will autograph specially designed “north versus south PASS champions” hero cards. The two champions will sign Friday, Jan. 4, from 6-8 p.m., and Satiurday, Jan. 5, noon-2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

Billed “fan appreciation weekend,” the expo will give away several thousands of dollars in door prizes

“All of our exhibitors have donated items as door prizes,” spokesman Tim Attaya said in a statement. “The list of prizes includes several ticket packages to New Hampshire International Speedway, tickets to various racing events in Maine and New Hampshire, gift certificates, racing tools and equipment, racing apparel and a whole lot more. Four Season Synthetics and AMSOIL are giving away to a race team a 2008 sponsorship package of AMSOIL products for the race car and the towing vehicle.”

To be eligible for the door prizes, visitors must register at the exhibitor’s booths. There is no limit on the number of times one can register. The drawings for all the door prizes will take place Sunday.

The expo provides an early preview of the 2008 racing season, from stock car racing to other forms of motorsports entertainment.

For more information, visit online at www.northeastmotorsports.net.