Organizers of this year's Smoky River Mud Bog Competition are setting the wheels in motion for what promises to be a down and dirty, rip-roarin' good time. "We attracted a field of 72 entries last year," says Coralee Maure who is assisting Leo Dumont in the organizational aspects of the 2008 mud bog competition. She says all early indications point towards another great response to this year's event, which returns to the fairgrounds in Donnelly Aug. 2 to 3 with seven high-revving classes featuring the skills of drivers from various locations in both Alberta and British Columbia. "The sport is continuing to grow in terms of popularity," says Maure, who has been involved with the event for the past eight years as an organizer and driver. She describes getting behind the wheel and trying to conquer the pit is a total adrenalin rush as a driver, adding that "you always get a case of the butterflies when it's your turn to enter the pit." Classes for this year's mud bog event closely mirror past competitions with the return of the 100 Stock (up to 32-inch DOT tires), 250 Stock (up to 35-inch tires), 400 Mod (up to 35-inch DOT and AG tires), 450 Two Wheel Drive (all two-wheel drive vehicles), 500 Super (up to 39-inch DOT tires), 600 Mega (up to 44-inch DOT tires) and the 750 Open class (anything under 500-horsepower and any tire size). Entry fees for stock and modified vehicles are $50 each and $25 for two-wheel drive vehicles. The Smoky River Agricultural Society is once again doing its part to help ensure a successful event by contributing $2,000 in cash to this year's event. Prize payouts are awarded at the end of the competition in each class and are as follows: first place (50 per cent of the purse and a trophy), second prize (30 per cent of the purse and a trophy), and third place (20 per cent of the purse and a trophy). Additional trophies are awarded for the fastest combined time in each pit over the course of the weekend. Entry fees are $25 for the two-wheel drive class and $50 for all other classes. Registration takes place at the fair grounds between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 with the action kicking off at 12 noon on both days. For more information, contact Coralee 780-837-8678.