When the Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity began, many NASCAR race fans flocked to Greenville for the chance to rub elbows with a Winston Cup — now called Nextel Cup — driver.

A funny thing happened over the ensuing years.

The event slowly became less about auto racing and more about the cause and the friendships that were formed. And of course, the outgoing Craven was a constant, making sure that everyone who showed up knew how much he appreciated their help.

On Saturday, Craven staged the 10th annual charity ride. According to his mother and sister, who help organize the event, it was another great day.

"We had a wonderful ride. Everything went good. I think this was one of the better years we had," said his mother, Nancy Craven.

Ricky Craven’s sister, Lauri Matheson, said the focus has shifted over the years. Her brother no longer races on the elite Nextel Cup level, but that doesn’t keep snowmobiling race fans from supporting the cause.

"I think at the beginning it started with ‘Ricky Craven the racer,’ but now they’re all there for one reason: the cause," Matheson said. "They love to snowmobile, and it’s a social event."

This year’s ride raised another $110,000 for five charities and brought the 10-year total to more than $1.25 million.

The event raised $41,000 back in 1998, when it began, and donations peaked in 2004, when $253,500 was raised.

Money goes to one of five charities: The Children’s Miracle Network, Give Kids the World, The National Marrow Donor Program, Make-A-Wish, and the Travis Roy Foundation.

Matheson said this year’s event focused heavily on the charities, especially when people stepped up to the microphone and spoke with attendees.

"We spent a lot more time this year talking with the crowd and the audience about what the ride has meant to us, and why it’s so important to us, and what these people have done for us," Matheson said.

Matheson said many of the same people keep returning to the ride, giving it a reunion feel.

There was one small problem this year, however.

"It went so well. The only glitch that I found was that it was so darned cold that some of the machines wouldn’t start in the morning," she said. "Other than that, things went really well."

None of which means that Ricky Craven, Nancy Craven, or Matheson can rest on their laurels, of course.

Planning for next year’s 11th ride will begin soon.

"We always get right back on the wagon," Matheson said. "Probably not right now, but within the next month or so, we’ll start talking and try to figure out a few new angles."