Trailer Racing

[beige_alert]

Last night on TV I saw a “trailer race.” Expendable motor vehicles towing expendable trailers race around a figure-eight track. A moment’s reflection will lead you to conclude that, in the absence of traffic lights, there is going to be an exciting spot in the middle of a figure-eight race course. In a trailer race, the last moving vehicle that still has trailer parts dragging behind it wins. Any trailer parts. It doesn’t need wheels. Some bits of steel dragging behind the tow vehicle count. Collisions, therefore, are a fundamental part of the race. Trailer debris promptly covers the track. They drive up onto the trailer of the vehicle ahead in hopes of pulling it off. One guy’s hood flew open early in the race, blocking his view. In a normal race, this would be a severe disadvantage, but in a trailer race, it might be an advantage. Do you really want to see what’s ahead?

The race I saw was held in Rockford, Illinois, just 95 miles / 150 km away from me. I have not been able to decide if I want to go to Rockford for the next trailer race to see it in person or if I feel that 150km is as close to the event as I want to be.

Comments

[phillip2637.livejournal.com]

I remember local, amateur demolition derby races on dirt ovals from when I was a kid. Not that I'd have much interest these days -- apart from maybe a photography opportunity -- but I had wondered whether such things still existed.

[beige-alert.livejournal.com]

Oh yes. Demolition derbies. Demolition derbies using unconventional vehicles, such as farm combines (really!). Tractor pulls. For people who can't afford a big tractor, lawn tractor pulls (really!). Riding lawn mower racing (I've seen this in person). Swamp buggy racing. Figure-eight racing with and without trailers. A sport from Japan called "drifting" in which drivers skid around the track and are judged on how good their skid was. (Tire companies love this one.) Oh, and organized car stereo loudness competitions.

[tigertoy.livejournal.com]

... and yet, the main reason why I can't have a tiger is that I or someone who intentionally put themselves in reach of the tiger might get hurt. Unfair.

[beige-alert.livejournal.com]

If only tigers burned gasoline instead of meat, and were, you know, LOUDER, maybe they'd be OK.

[tigertoy.livejournal.com]

I defy anyone who's had a tiger roar in his face to claim that tigers aren't LOUD enough.