Author: countesssimona

I think it is usually the first eleven, but we have our first seven entrants in, for the Splendid Teapot Racing Event at SteampunkNZ Festival Oamaru!!!

A couple of people were so excited that they have entered twice!!!

Well done Tepoti!

Of note, no tea cosy entries yet – 50 bonus points to the first tea cosy entry!!!

Keep up the good work – only 6 weeks to go!!!

Here is the link to register, you can still enter on the day.

 

Announcing a new category for you wonderful and creative people – The Countesses CoozyDoozy Award: design and build a ‘tea cosy’ to cover your rig, it must cover your rig in the standard manner (but does not need a bottom). You don’t have to be racing to enter this category. It will be judged on Saturday 4 June at the Splendid Teapot Racing event @ the Oamaru Club in conjunction with Steampunk Festival NZ.

There are totally no rules it can be as far out or as traditional Victorian as you like – surprise and delight me!

It can be glued, electric, painted, knitted, stitched, welded, laser cut, paper mache, foam, quilted, feathered, camouflaged, fluffy, hard, angular, copper, metal, kinetic etc.

 

I look forward to seeing all the creations at the Splendid Teapot Racing @ Steampunk Festival NZ, Oamaru .

You can enter here.

How to find Splendid Teapot Racing:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Splendid-Tea-Pot-Racing-NZ/1459373854335320

splendidteapotracingnz@gmail.com

How to find me:

https://www.facebook.com/simona.demontgomerie

I was in Wellington recently, and was privileged to enjoy the hospitality of Mrs Hudson (the younger) and  Colonel Hawthorne from Capital! Steampunk NZ. I took the opportunity to have a ‘chat’ with Stanley, the Oamaru speed trophy winner 2015 for the fastest Splendid Racing Teapot.  At a subsonic  sound barrier shattering .43 seconds for the entire Official Course. We (the royal we)  were very impressed.

I asked Stanley what was in his innards to make him go so fast?  “I beg your pardon, that is a very personal question! But I can tell you I am made from a ‘Thumper’ which is a Jaycar vehicle.

I asked how Stanley felt about this transformation? “I feel far more intelligent and I can see better!” he stated.

I was interested and enquired why Stanley only had one tentacle? “Thats all I can fit down my spout, but I may have others I am not talking about!” This did have me very perplexed.

Stanley is sponsored by Brunel Engineering, Babbage Computing – ‘We make the difference.’ Bazalgette Plumbing, Stephenson’s Rocket Works and 100% Positively Wellington.

Stanley’s first race was at Cuba Dupa, he explained to me that for ethical reasons Colonel Hawthorne couldn’t race  him so he was raced by Aunty Donna. Stanley confided to me that, “We didn’t do so well in the obstacle course, but we won the all out drag race.”

I asked Stanley to explain the Oamaru experience, “I was very excited about Oamaru 2015, it was my first overseas trip and I had my own box in the car. I wasn’t squashed in with the hats and skirts. I was tempted to get out and play on the ferry but I decided it might not be a good idea.”

What special preparation did you do? “I did lots of brainstorming and eye rolling exercises, I did a few tentacle press ups and that was about did it. My first time on the course I felt very confident, some peppy self talk and a few stern word of encouragement form the Colonel sorted it.” It is alleged that the Colonel was overheard to say, “Play fair lad, lets show the blighters! And show the blighters we did! I did it in .43 seconds and I entered World Teapot Racing history”

For Stanley’s stunning efforts he was awarded the GT Subatomic Venom Trophy – dedicated to the Cog of Speed.

Stanley’s Hints and Tips

1. Charge your Battery
2. Don’t rely on speed, its about agility.
3.  Good control and a good controller.
4. I do think my low chassis could be a disadvantage but a low center of gravity is good

We have heard a rumor that you are retiring? “The Colonel is putting me out to stud, so I am looking for a Mrs Stanley now and to have some little teapoti.”

The last words of wisdom: “As my creator, the good Colonel says – I just like to wizz!”

Having been very pleased that the  Surrey Steampunk Convivial  now held twice a year,  had made the wonderful decision to incorporate Splendid Racing Teapots into their events, I caught up with Ben Henderson a musician and a ‘chief bottle washer’  at the Convivial.

Ben confided that he has been into steampunk perhaps even before it became ‘a thing’, as evidenced by this photo of Ben in top hat.

Ben was not sure how he heard about Splendid Teapot Racing, but he was very much impressed by the idea and the ‘sophistication’ of the course’s obstacles. Ben explained to me that at the Convivial which has been going now for 4 years, they race remote controlled vehicles, but racing the teapots “put a slightly different spin on it” which Ben liked.

A Ramp of Doom was duly constructed and lived up to its name, with a few spills and manual assists. What I particularly liked was the Ben innovatively constructed a ‘See saw of Indecision’ which worked very well. A bit of jolly good ingenuity was occurring, as toilet seat hinges were used as the pivot point. I can see that this obstacle will be incorporated into the grand plan. Thanks Ben for trying that out for us 🙂

A enthusiastic lineup turned out in fine form for the inaugural race.  Included in the line up – a pirate themed teapot – The Black Tea Spot, Barnabas – the Elephant in the room ( Ben’s rig) and a disguised or distressed Dalek were amongst the contestants. Unfortunately Barnabas had to concede defeat to a “teapot with fearsome tracks” and Ben concluded that “Barnabas is an awful pilot.”

I was very impressed with the line up of wacky events that the Convivial offered, Battle Croquette, Parasol Duelling, and wait for it…… Bazooka Teddy (Just look at the photos – no explanation required)

To sum up the crowd was suitably entertained and showed their appreciation with cheers,” they ooooh’d, they spluttered into their beers, they coo’ed!” at the rampaging teapots. Impressively, even in the negotiation of the death defying obstacles, not a single piece of china was damaged in the process – nearly unheard off.

Well done Surrey Steampunk Convivial – I hope to be there next year if all goes well.

For further information on their next event check out this link – The Nonsuch Christmas. It will have Christmas Pudding races…… But, rest assured there shall be more Splendid Teapot Racing at The Surrey Steampunk Convivial – Barnabas is in training, and – may the best teapot win!

Photo credits Cecile Dubuis