Veggie Car Race
Three years ago when Fred & Sidonia St Germaine (Shearwater) introduced the concept of a Veggie Car Race, most of us responded with a polite albeit tepid and befuddled “huh?”
Well guess what, in those three short years, Veggie Racing has blossomed and expanded to become a happening type of event for the RMHYC.
The simple concept of designing, building, naming and match racing a model fashioned entirely from vegetables, fruits and related by products seems to have stimulated an outpouring of competitive juices within our creative circle. Trophies and a bottle of Nassau Royale were awarded for both the “best in show favorite design” (sort of a pre-race beauty contest) and for the race winner. This year each participant and each spectator was given a special voting bean, all the race cars were displayed on picnic tables and had a small paper cup (carefully screwed into the table) immediately in front of the respective race car. Each holder of a voting bean then deposited their vote (bean) into the cup in front of their pick.
After the best in show judging, Individual heats were run with the winners of each heat advancing to the next round until only one remained. Sidonia served in a pace car sort of role, wherein she skillfully positioned and released each car from the start line. Fred served as starter, provided critical race car alignment feedback to Sidonia and gave the all-important countdown to release.
Jack Power made sure both race cars were exactly positioned on the start line and Mike Beneville served as finish line judge which proved to be crucial as we had several photo finishes and one he declared to be a dead heat. I might mention that many of the race car owners were observed to be nervously pacing while fretting about the effects the wind and unrelenting sun might be having on the higher tech components of their finely tuned racing machines. Between each heat many of the more experienced teams seized upon the opportunity to pull their car to the pit area for servicing and other adjustments prior to it’s next heat.
This year’s race took place at the tent provided by Charlie and Rose Dowling (Chapter Five) which had been cleverly transformed into Charlie’s Raceway Park. This venue provided for excellent sight lines from a shaded area. A liberal dosage of prescribed libations throughout the event enhanced the overall experience for one and all.
Winner of the favorite design were the German foreign exchange Henny & her beau Florlan & who were guests of Doug and Leslie Motel (Yacht to Trot) .
Winner of the Race was yours truly Rick Brenneman (Lady Di) with his entry Speedy Dick.
Some memories from last years Race
MISS VEGGIE CAR BEST OF SHOW
