Truck races down the mud track on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Northwoods Truck Pull and Mud Run in Avon. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

AVON – Loud engines and cheers could be heard off of Route 4 Saturday, Aug. 24, as cars and trucks tore through mud to get to the finish line at the Northwoods Truck Pull and Mud Run. Vehicles took turns speeding down the muddy track to compete for the best time. There were a total of 14 different classes of vehicles and trophies awarded to the winners.

This event happens once every month during the summer. The event is run by Cecil Phillips and his family, including his wife, Kerri Phillips. Both have been in the mud racing business for 32 years. Kerri Phillips said that it has been so long that they are racing against the children of the people they raced against in the past.

Kerri Phillips classified the Mud Run as a family event. She said that participants and spectators come to the event because “they know it’s safe. They know they can bring their kids.” She and her husband’s children Kurt and Kyli grew up in the racing community and now participate in the race. Family is an important theme at this event. Phillips said that members of the mud racing community are the first to answer when others need support. It’s not like racing around a circle track where you’re trying to bump your opponent out of the race, she said.

Vehicle races to the finish line on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Northwoods Truck Pull and Mud Run in Avon. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

Phillips also spoke about the way the sport has evolved, especially in regard to women’s history. She said that when she first started racing, it was a male dominated sport. She was forced to race in “powder-puff derbies,” but eventually they made her race with the men because she was winning too much. She said that a lot of progress has been made since then and she feels that she has paved the way for mud racing women. The Northwoods Truck Pull and Mud Run is an event that includes both men and women racers.

Cecil Phillips’ sister, Mildred Phillips volunteers at the event. She shared that the event is “loud and fun,” and that for eleven years, there has never been a lack of participants.

Some spectators camp out on the nearby property for the event. Phillips said that the event typically took place on the first Sunday of the month, but there was heavy request for it to take place on Saturday instead and it turned out to be a success.

Truck creates a cloud of dust as it reaches the end of the mud track on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Northwoods Truck Pull and Mud Run in Avon. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

There will be one more Mud Run event this season, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 21. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the races begin at 10:30 a.m. promptly. The cost to attend the event is $15 for adults, $10 for kids ages six to 12, and free for children ages five and under. For more information, call Cecil Phillips at 207-557-5726.