Hare scrambles draws 700-plus

Mid East Racing drew more than 700 entries to the hare scrambles competition at Strange’s Ranch in Laurens, S.C., May 9-10, after some last-minute wrangling with government officials.

Organizer Buren Hamrick said the governor’s office and county health officials canceled the competition early in the week.

The officials claimed the competition was an entertainment event that would have been prohibited under the state’s coronavirus restrictions.

State Sen. Danny Verdin III (R-Laurens) interceded on behalf of the AMA-sanctioned event, pointing out that hare scrambles is a competition event with no spectators and is conducted on a 300-acre outdoor site.

“At five ’til 5 on Thursday [before the Saturday competition], the governor changed his mind and notified the county officials, and we were able to do this,” Hamrick said.

Participants were required to maintain social distancing and were encouraged to wash their hands often and use the hand sanitizer Hamrick and his crew placed around the event site.
“If you are sick, please stay at home,” Hamrick told potential attendees.

Joe Bromley, AMA program development manager, said more than 200 people joined the AMA during the weekend event.

Hamrick held another hare scrambles event May 22-24 at Chestnut Corner in Laurens, S.C. That competition was part of the AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series.