Motorsports enthusiasts and country music fans alike are in for a treat on Sept. 7. The Outback Motorsports Complex in Laurinburg is set to host the Colt Ford Classic, a day-long festival that includes an Outlaw Motorcross Race and a day full of bands, with country music star Colt Ford capping off the festivities.

A relatively new venue, the Outback Motorsports Complex originally opened to provide ATV and other outdoor training to the military. Mike Evock, owner and former Green Beret, decided to open the establishment to the public. Now most anyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the great outdoors.

“We have 800 acres for ATVs and dirt bikes along with a 1.5 mile motorcross track,” said Evock. “It’s a national style motorcross track. We also have concessions on site, camper hook ups, a fishing pond and camping areas for tents.”

The Colt Ford concert is one of many events planned at the complex in the coming months and the first concert of this size.

“We can hold 30,000 people, and this is an outdoor concert,” said Evock. “Bring your ATV and come for the day. We have a motorcross race that morning, too. We’ll see how this one turns out, we are trying to put together some bands for Veteran’s Day, too.”

Colt Ford released a new album, Declaration of Independence, last summer. Ford wrote or co-wrote 14 of the 15 songs on the record. The performer has said that this is the best he has ever made. The former pro golfer has a sound all his own. Drawing on his experience as a rapper, Ford’s songs are often a hip-hop country fusion that cover topics that ring true with Americans of all stripes. He’s collaborated with other big names like Jason Aldean to produce hits like “Dirt Road Anthem.” He’s also worked with Darius Rucker, Jake Owen and Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn and is set to tour with Florida-Georgia Line later this fall.

While the Outback Motorsports Complex is great for an afternoon of outdoor fun, Evock also hosts training events, parties and more. From Mud Bogs to Corn Hole tournaments, the public has found a unique outdoor space for a variety of activities.

“We have a race next month coming up called a hair scrambler,” said Evock. “Guys race through the woods, where we have an 8-10 mile track for them. They run through the woods and the whole thing takes about two hours.”

The Outback Motorsports Complex is in Laurinburg. “That’s just 20 or 30 minutes south of Raeford,” said Evock. “One of the things that makes us different is that me and my staff are always out on the property making sure that people are having a good time. I’ve even had people tell me that they were surprised to learn that I am the owner, because you are just as likely to find me out on a water truck as you are to find me in the office.”

Tickets for the Colt Ford Classic are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event and can be ordered at www.coltford-concert.com. For more information, visit www.outbackmotorsportscomplex.com or call 910.916.0284.

Photo: Country music comes to Laurinburg at the Colt Ford Classic.