Sponsored by The Human Performance Company, the MississippiGrand Prix Stage Race brings a herd of bicycle racers to Brookhavennext weekend for three events. The post popular event, thecriterium, will be held Friday night in downtown Brookhaven.

Saturday morning’s Copiah Bank/Cellular South marathon road racewill cover 77 miles for the advanced and senior level riders. Therewill be 58 and 40-mile races for masters 35-plus and women, plus a20-mile route for level 5 and newcomers. There will be a 4-miletime trial Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, the circuit race will be held in Wesson on a mile anda half course circling the Copiah-Lincoln Community Collegecampus.

The overall cash prize list total is $8,000. It will be brokendown into 21 categories, culminating with the overall winners onSunday.

Brookhaven was introduced to the criterium last year. NextSaturday morning’s road race winds through the rural countryside,starting at Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church.

“We want folks to come watch the criterium,’ said Brookhavenresident and race organizer Frank Moak. He serves as captain of thewell known Herring Gas racing team.

The criterium, sponsored by the Bank of Brookhaven, lasts 45minutes, plus 5 laps, and covers an 8-10th mile circle of downtowncity blocks, including 8 turns.

“The criterium is the most exciting race of the weekend,” saidMoak. “It’s a mixture of roller derby and stock car racing.”

Moak said the criterium will feature the most experienced andfastest riders. Wrecks aren’t unusual.

“If it rains, we will still race,” predicted Moak. He andRichard Barker, Human Performance CEO, are the weekend raceorganizers.

“We are expecting a bigger turnout this year,” said Moak. Lastyear, the road race and criterium attracted 198 participants, manyof them from surrounding states.

Curtis Moroney of Natchez will serve as race director.

A new event, the 4-mile time trial, will be held Saturdayafternoon, starting at Union Hall Baptist Church.

Moak said newcomers to bicycle racing are welcome to participatein the road race. A 20-mile race will be available for theneophytes.,

“This is a great opportunity for young and old riders to getstarted,” said Moak. “They should be physically able to complete a20-mile ride.”

Moak said he appreciated the support provided by race sponsors.Among them are the Human Performance Company, Bank of Brookhaven,Copiah Bank, Cellular South, The DAILY LEADER, Ole BrookBroadcasting, Reed’s Metals, Brookhaven Ear, Nose & ThroatClinic, Honda of Brookhaven, Pete’s Interior, LaRue’s DiscountDrugs, Country Fisherman, Sullivan Ford, Smith Machine &Welding, Oil Can Harry’s, Kevin Coleman Construction and Ole BrookTire & Auto.

The Best Western Hotel is serving as race headquarters. Deadlinefor registering on line is April 21 at midnight. Registration alsois available Friday night at the old Brookhaven train depot,located at 125 N. Whitworth Ave., from 4:30 to 10 p.m.

For more information, call (601) 833-0800 or go to the website,www.humanperformance.com/msgranprix.html