Can you beat this guy at Super Mario Kart?

Gamers who watch Untitled Nerd Network’s live streams know that Lonnie Henderson has been mopping the floor with his challengers lately. Now he’s taking on the general public.

“I’m going to play an early 1990s video game of Super Mario Kart (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) at Infinity Flux from noon to 6 p. m. on Saturday. I’ll play whoever comes in and pays $5. That donation to the Humane Education Society automatically enters them in a drawing for a $50 store credit,” says Henderson.

Anyone who manages to beat the master receives an additional entry in the gift-card drawing, a free soda from Infinity Flux and their name and race time will be posted on a dry-erase board in the store during competition hours. The drawing for the store credit will take place at 5:50 p.m.

“Lonnie is a big animal lover, so he is pairing his two interests for a fundraiser for us,” says Taylor Hixson, HES development manager. “We did something similar to this last year, but this is the first time we’ve partnered with Infinity Flux.”

In addition to the video challenge, HES will have a silent auction on-site and kitten adoptions.

“We are going to have kittens for a $5 adoption fee, which includes spay/ neuter, all appropriate vaccinations and a microchip,” says Hixson.

Hixson says it’s her hope that this nontraditional fundraiser will attract a new demographic of supporters for the animal shelter.

Henderson runs Untitled Nerd Network, an “all ages brand that focuses on the nerd/geek culture, TV shows, movies and video games.” This Super Mario Kart challenge will be broadcast live on UNN’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/untitlednerdnetwork.

Henderson says he’s been antagonizing challengers this week, “going around telling everybody I’m the best to drum up people to come out and try to beat me. The more I run my mouth, the more they will want to beat me.”

There is no minimum age to compete.

“If they can pick up a controller and play, I’ll welcome them,” he says. “But I’m not going to go easy on any of them. I’m out to win. It’s going to be rough competition.”

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Lonnie Henderson, who runs Untitled Nerd Network, is challenging all ages to a Super Mario Kart game at Infinity Flux on Saturday afternoon, July 8. Each race costs a $5 donation to the Humane Education Society.