Rattler race aficionados, start your engines.

The South Alabama Speedway will open the 2011 racing season with the 35th annual Rattler Weekend, which starts today.

The headliner of the weekend is the 35th annual Hardee’s Rattler 250, scheduled for Sun., March 6. This race will bring the top Late Model drivers from around the country.

Twenty-nine drivers had submitted paid entries for the race as of Feb. 24. The drivers hail from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

The gates open at 5 p.m. today, with racing starting at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 2 p.m. Saturday, with qualifying at 3 p.m. Saturday’s race begins at 7 p.m.

The Sunday headliner race will begin at 2 p.m. with gates opening at 9:30 a.m. and church at 10 a.m.

For more information, contact the South Alabama Speedway track at 334-565-3539.