Hundreds of people gathered to enjoy and participate in the seventh annual Mini Indy go-cart race at Dixie State College on Saturday.

The "Home Town Heroes," a local team, took first place. They were followed by "Embraer" from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Sao Paulo, Brazil, in second place and "Future Aviation" from Fort Meyers, Fla.

Sabrena Suite-Mangum, manager of corporate communications, said SkyWest Airlines has been the sponsor of the event throughout the years, donating the money raised to United Way Dixie.

She said there were 42 teams that raced this year and all of them donated a minimum of $4,000 to United Way.

Suite-Mangum said the teams that participate come from all over. They have two teams from SkyWest, teams from the aircraft and aviation departments, Dixie State College, the city of St. George, Wal-Mart and Entrada.

She added that it has grown from a SkyWest event to a national and international event.

Marc Mortensen, assistant to the city manager, said the city helps SkyWest put the Mini Indy together.

Mortensen said SkyWest and the city wanted to donate the money to something that would go back to the Dixie community.

"It's the largest and best run event we've ever put on," he said.

Tom McArthur, chairman of United Way Dixie, said over the years the Mini Indy event has brought in more than $400,000.

"We're really grateful to SkyWest, the city and Dixie College to have this," he said.

The races began with the American flag waving high as Kirk Bastian displayed it while he skydived to meet the crowd.

"They (SkyWest) wanted to start off this race with a bang," he said.

Bastian said he enjoys flying the colors of the American flag.

"It's really an honor for me to display the flag," he said. "People like it and I like doing it."

Bastian was also a driver with the Triumph Group.

Linda Weber said this was her first year at the event. She was watching her son drive for the Wal-Mart team.

"I think it's a fun activity," she said. "I'm a racing fan and I like all kinds of racing. It's a fun way to spend the day."

Eric Castro moved here a week ago from Lake Tahoe, Calif., and just happened upon the races.

"I think it's really rad that they have something like this in a smaller type of city where you would normally find it in Las Vegas," he said.