So, it was with great excitement the Captain Various Miscellaneous Bitsandpieces
and I finally got to skype Daniel Lee Hawk from Chesapeake, Virginia. The population is estimated to be 232,977 making it the third-most populous city in Virginia, so it’s a bit bigger than Wellington City and a bit smaller than Christchurch City area and it looks nice and green like the Nelson area. We are thinking that there is room for potential and great growth. So there we were, 10pm for us and 4am for Daniel – grown adults talking about international teapot racing….Added bonus, Daniel didn’t even think our accents were too bad….what accents….?
Daniel with some wonderful others has started a Splendid Teapot Racing Chapter in the USA – our first international affiliated group. (OMG – right? Awesome) Daniel, met Lois Wallace, co owner of Victorian Magpie, Virginia Beach, who was the one to find the NZ videos and was inspired. She thought it was a great idea and Lois made the first teapot racer in the USA, the one titled Pretty Bird. Thanks Lois, ou get the big thumbs up! We also know the Steampunk Convivial in Surrey is also running an event but we haven’t seen a UK Chapter emerge – this position is vacant if any hardy Brits want to take up the challenge.
How did you find us?
DLH: Through Dave Lee, and Lois Wallace they come from around this area – (Big thanks Dave and Lois !) I was looking for something to get involved in. I am so excited I have been getting up at 3am to do stuff!
We also have Jamestown very close to us- the first English settlement in the USA (settled in 1606) – so that must be the link to tea!
What do you like about Splendid Teapot Racing?
DLH: It gets a lot of people together that might not get together. I was working on a submarine for 20 years and when I retired I didn’t want to be around people much or travel. I have travelled to nearly every country in the world except NZ and Hawaii.
Oh – was that because it was a nuclear sub? 
DLH: Yes
Us: oh wow!
DHK: so I have hung out in my garage with my business and making stuff and this has got me out and about again. (Daniel showed us some cool stuff he had made)
How many people are involved in your area?
DLH: About 20 people including assorted small children. My son can control the teapot way better than I can!!! We have a weekly Sunday afternoon tea and I make crumpets.
Us: Yum……. P.S. We have the recipe.
What’s in the future?
DLH: we are looking for a historical venue in over in Gloucester for the last Friday in July 2016 to run a Splendid Teapot Racing event.
Us: Yay!!!! Much excitement!!!!
What do the locals think?
DLH: People come over and look and think it’s curling, they don’t realise they are motorized. Then they laugh!
Thanks Daniel Lee Hawk 🙂
Splendid Teapot Racing 
