This Sunday’s Teapot Racing Carnival attracts more spectators than it does competitors, but organisers love the response from the public.
Organised by the Southern Society of Steampunk Steamologists, the event is based at the Band Rotunda in Queens Park, and usually has between 10 to 15 entries.
Club president Gail Mackintosh said one year three guys saw the promotional poster and whipped up a Teapot racer in just one morning – “they ended up winning the whole event.”
The event involves racing customised teapots around an obstacle course to gain points – you can also bribe the judges, and manipulate the rules.
Teapot racing originated in Dunedin and had its first public outing at the 2014 Steampunk NZ Festival in Oamaru.
The Southern group – which has 584 followers worldwide, jumped on the teapot bandwagon a year later in 2015, and haven’t looked back.
There are points for the look of the vehicle, and each hazard negotiated (e.g a ramp), as well as completing the course, and an award for showmanship.
Gail said the club would also be at the Southland A&P show, and she’s also got her eye on the hobby horse racing – “I want to be first in line for that.”
Steampunk originated in New Zealand and now has a following worldwide – steamologists either make their own outfits, such as turning old quilts and blankets into clothing, or they source them online.
“Steampunk is what you want it to be. Some people are more gadgeteer, there are no rules. Some things are bought, some things are made.”
The Teapot Racing starts at 2pm on Sunday and is free to enter.
Rules:
1. The Vehicle
Vehicles shall consist of a teapot of the Contestant’s choice, mounted upon a radio-controlled chassis. It is recommended that Contestants consult their local hobby shop or electronics shop for a suitable base vehicle, which may then be modified, tittivated or accessorised as the Contestant sees fit.
Multi-band controls are available for some brands of radio-controlled vehicles, which may be useful should they wish to compete in any drag race.
No vehicle shall exceed 30 centimetres in height, 30 centimetres in width or 40 centimetres in length (including any flags, aerials, &c.). Vehicles which exceed these measurements will be permitted to compete, but will be penalised and may encounter difficulties in negotiating the Hazards noted below.
2. The Course
The Course, which shall be laid out according to the whim of the Judges and without regard to the wishes of any other party, shall consist of a number of Hazards, possibly including a Ramp, a Tunnel, a Jump and/or divers Obstacles of a breakable nature.
Vehicles must negotiate the Course as specified by the Judges, one Vehicle at a time, within the allotted time of two minutes. Points will be deducted for every 10 seconds over the allotted time. Vehicles which have not completed the course within three minutes will be disqualified. Contestants may, if they wish, walk with their Vehicle as it negotiates the Course.
At the discretion of the Judges, the contest may also include a drag race. This will partly depend upon there being Vehicles capable of racing together without interference to each other’s radio control systems, although exceptions may be made in the interests of amusement.
3. Points
Points will be awarded for:
1. The overall look of the Vehicle
2. Each Hazard successfully negotiated
3. Completion of the Course
4. Bribery of the Judges
5. Showmanship (dress, singing, dancing, jokes, etc)
Points will be deducted for:
1. Any manual assistance given to the Vehicle (whether by the Contestant or another party)
2. Failure to negotiate a Hazard
3. Exceeding the specified two minutes’ time limit
4. Exceeding the specified size limits
5. Inadequate bribery of the Judges, or in any other way vexing said Judges
4. Prizes
Prizes may be awarded at the Judges’ discretion for:
1. Best overall Vehicle
2. Best first-time Contestant
3. Most entertaining attempt at the Course
4. Most rapid completion of the Course
5. Most rapid drag