As final proof that given a dirt track, some idle time, and a need, the Richland County Camel Racing Society has gained popularity. Yes, I said the Richland County Camel Racing Society, (RCCRS).  The RCCRS was born out of a couple of efforts, the first was from the Richland County Harness Go Fast or Go Home Association as they were faced with a need to have a more firm, and better compacted, race track for their horses to utilize. Previous to the RCCRS starting up the harness racers would struggle with a very soft and squishy track that caused some serious issues for the horses. However, now that there is the RCCRS that races in the late winter/early spring of the year, when the harness racers get to the track in late spring/summer the track is already in midseason form.

The second effort that formed the RCCRS was to just cure a little boredom. If you aren't familiar with Wisconsin there is that time frame from, about mid-February when the Packers typically have sewn up another Super Bowl Championship until softball and baseball can actually be played outside, that the weather is just unpredictable and it is too warm to snowmobile and not quite warm enough to ride motorcycles.

So what exactly is the Richland County Camel Racing Society? Well the RCCRS is exactly what it sounds like. It is just some good 'old Richland County residents, with proper training of course, that race camels around the half-mile oval at the Richland County Fairgrounds. Just like on horses, the camels are suited with custom fit saddles and blankets made out of the lightest Richland County weasel hair to provide the best aerodynamic flow possible. Many of the same rules apply to camel racing that are utilized in horse racing. However, there are some strict exceptions:

• Camels must be treated with extreme care, many are rescue camels from work camps in the Sahara and have been brought to Richland County to relax and do what they love to do best, race.
• There are routine blood tests conducted to make sure both the camels, and (more importantly) the jockeys, are not utilizing performance enhancing or hampering drugs.
• Since there is a huge underground child kidnapping ring that exists in the Middle East in which children are routinely taken from their families based on their future ability to be great camel jockies, only Wisconsin residents are allowed to ride the camels in the races. (This rule was put in place just recently when two jockies were uncovered to actually be ringers smuggled in from the United Arab Emirates for an extra edge to win the purse at a race. See, this activity comes more natural to residents of Middle Eastern and African countries than some big stocky Wisconites that are used to riding motorcycles and snowmobiles.)

There will be much news coming in the future regarding the RCCRS Society such as:

• The new rent-a-camel program in which those who want to get involved, but are concerned about the high initial investment in camel racing can get a taste of it at a more affordable initial cost by just renting for a short time.
• The new marketing campaign, "One hump or two, my camel is faster than you!".
• A new line of apparel offered on the Big Willow webstore, just look for the store on the left side of any Big Willow Webpage for the "Richland County Camel Racing Society", or hit this link: http://buybigwillow.com/categories/Richland-County-Camel-Racing-Association/  If there aren't any items there yet, keep checking back as there will be soon.
• A possible harness association that will also race camels. this is still undergoing some development, so after the kinks are worked out, and the lead developer gets back out of the hospital after an incident during a recent test, we are sure there will be more news to report.

Please don't forget to check out the RCCRA website at: http://www.hybridredneck.com/categories/Richland-County-Camel-Racing-Association/

Till next time,,,make sure to keep your goggles clean, and your mouth closed.

Marty Richards, Executive Vice-President in charge of Competitive Fairness, Richland County Camel Racing Society