Central Maine’s sizable contingent of race fans can get a healthy off-season fix of their favorite sport this weekend, as the 24th annual Northeast Motorsports Expo swings open its doors.

The show kicks off at 5 p.m. this Friday evening at the Augusta Civic Center and runs through Sunday afternoon. Presented by Mainely Motorsports TV and directed by Steve Perry, the show brings all forms of motorsports together under one roof.

“It’s shaping up to be a very exciting show this year,” Perry said. “We’ve got quite a variety of racing and tracks that will be represented. Since I took this show over from its founder in 2010, the vendors have worked hard to improve their displays. I think fans will be impressed with what they see at the Civic Center this weekend.”

Among the special guests scheduled to appear is Maine native Andy Santerre, who aside from Ricky Craven, has enjoyed the most notoriety and success in NASCAR of any native son.

Santerre is a four-time champion of what is now known as the K&N Pro Series East, and is currently working for Revolution Racing – the high-profile squad that oversees NASCAR’s “Drive for Diversity” program. His latest students, Sergio Pena and Darrell Wallace Jr. have done very well under his guidance in East series competition.

Santerre will join noted Hot Rodding expert Steve Magnante among this year’s guests, along with a host of local drivers.  Magnante is a former editor at Hor Rod Magazine and is now part of the SPEED TV crew that covers the famed Barrett-Jackson auction telecasts.

Among the many local stars scheduled to appear is Wayne Helliwell Jr., of Dover, New Hampshire. Helliwell claimed the Ford Blue Oval Challenge in 2011 running the popular American-Canadian Tour (ACT) circuit. The former champion at Lee USA Speedway has matured a great deal behind the wheel and may contend for the ACT title in 2012.

Every January since Tim Attaya started this show way back in 1989, local race fans have made the trek to Augusta to interact and connect with racers. It’s a unique chance for fans to chat with drivers in a much less hectic environment than the busy pit area.  At the track, racers are usually focused on the task at hand. At an off-season trade show, they’re much more relaxed.

The 24th annual Northeast Motorsports Expo and Trade show is presented by Team EJP, the Quirk Auto Group, Awards Champs, New England Race Fuels and Heluva Good Sour Cream Dips and Cheese.  

Two displays fans won’t want to miss are the Maine Vintage Race Car Association’s beautiful Mobile Museum, and Turner resident George Campbell’s booth, where he’ll be signing copies of his latest book on NASCAR’s Busch North Series.

Show hours for Saturday are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., while the show will wrap on Sunday with doors open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and just $5 for children ages 6-12. Children age 5 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult.