racing – Splendid Teapot Racing

Cuba Dupa 2017

Posted on April 6, 2017April 6, 2017 by countesssimona

On March 25, 2017, a splendid group of Steampunkers (collective noun yet to be settled upon) assembled at Cuba Dupa in Dixon St, Wellington, to Splendidly Race Teapots (STR). The race occurred after a very spectacular and noisy parade from Ghuznee St down Cuba Mall to the racing arena. This marvellous Steampunk event was organised by the awesome members of Capital! Steam and extra race track pieces were purloined from Steampunk Taranaki.

The combined obstacles resulted in the nose hair withering double Ramp of Doom making its first appearance, yes, you heard it correctly the DOUBLE Ramp of Doom (DRoD). The DRoD was a darsedly and devious adaptation to the wacky races and caused a considerable amount of consternation (especially in the middle bit).

Making its first grand appearance was Capital! Steams Victoria’s Bells a stunning little number made by the talented Martyn and succeeded in snagging a few rigs – the ones that attempted U-turns. Making a significant impression on the Captain and I was, Steampunk Taranaki’s wibbly wobbly bridge with the additional reminder of danger, a Monty Pythonesque skeleton at the base. So enamoured with the potential of this obstacle, that, the Captain and I are in serious negotiations to recreate this for Oamaru.

There are some standout honourable mentions of peculiar antics in a spectacular day of fun and frivolity, notably the spectators who enjoyed all the usual thrills and spills of STR. An estimated 1000 people of the 100,000 strong crowd stopped and viewed the racing, we very much congested the street.

Professor Phoenicea Carwardine and I enjoyed first-rate bribery which was again of a superb standard. The Steam Mahouts did themselves proudly and provided the very best Royal Darjeeling sweet tea and sweets. There were lashings of chocolate, quince pears and assorted shiny bits, all very much appreciated. Some bribes were essential, especially to cover up such unexpected events such as heads rolling off…..

JC Hortense — Hortense St George – who lost her head! ( the tea pot not the driver) – photo credit Jane Craven

The stand out contraption of the day, complete with mini me was, of course, Kat Douglas’ Splendid mobility device, the Katmobile. While the Katmobile (the larger) disgraced its self in an attempt to manoeuvre on the course, the mini-me clone did not. In the skilled hands of Neave R Willoughby, mini-me performed quite satisfactorily.

Neave Willoughby in the Katmobile, attempting the course while the judges were not looking! Photo credit – Jane Craven

The good Colonel Hawthorne driving the Snark Cooker took some obstacles with him for a small drive. The professor and I were momentarily worried that this would result in a disqualification for breaching height restrictions but breathed a collective sigh of relief as the “Snark” unhooked itself and emerged unscathed.

The valiant Captain Various also rearranged the Chasm of Death on the course, but as co-inventor of STR, we thought he could take liberties. However Snoopy didn’t like the wibbly wobbly bridge.

Special mention to the splendid efforts of our younger drivers who totally embodied the spirit of Splendid Teapot Racing – Huzzah!

The SuccessfulCandidates 2017

(VOUCHER Clockwork Steampunk Emporium) Most entertaining: Spencer – Driver: Prof. Joules Ampere, Steampunk Taranaki

(VOUCHER Clockwork Steampunk Emporium) Best racing round: Ateapotosaurus traxas wellingtonia – Driver: Lord Edmund, Wellington

Most splendid: Pavel Peacock – Driver: Lady Watsonia Victorious! Ohms, Steampunk Taranaki

Most splendid teapot: Elliot-Hawthorne Snark-Cooker – Driver: Colonel Hawthorne, Capital! Steampunk

Best Bribes: Royal Darjeeling Express – Driver: Steam Mahouts, Capital! Steampunk

Best driver: Hank the Tankpot – Driver: Lord Theadore Rupert Beardaton, Steampunk Taranaki

Best under 20: Ulster Fusion – Driver: Colonial Boy, Wellington

Best Themed Teapot: Mini Pot – Driver: Neave R. Willoughby, Steampunk Christchurch

Colonel’s Award for Splendidness:

Orion, Greytown

Colonel’s Award for Teapot Sheepdog Trials: Lord Edmund, Wellington

All in all a splendid day. Thank you

Getting Cosy

Posted on April 14, 2016 by countesssimona

I am getting very excited about the new über creative design and build a Tea Cosy for your Rig category, for the SteampunkNZfestival at Oamaru, Queens Birthday Weekend.

In this category I hope you, even if you’re not racing, can make a tea cosy that ‘could’ either cover your own/partners/friends/ assorted small children and Snark’s Rig (imaginary).

Let your imagination run wild, theme it fantasy, Victorian, modern or steampunk.

Here is a bit of inspiration for you.

I can’t wait to see you there with your creations.

Oamaru 2016 International Splendid Teapot Racing Pre Registrations

Posted on January 26, 2016January 27, 2016 by countesssimona

Here’s the news you’ve been waiting for: registrations are now open for International Splendid Teapot Racing at this year’s Steampunk Festival NZ at Oamaru.

We haven’t completely finalised the time – we’re hoping for the afternoon of Saturday 4 June at the Oamaru Club – but we should be able to confirm that very soon.

The registration form itself is here or go here to check the rules first. Register early – we’re hoping to give Oamaru’s 2015 record of 24 entries a nasty fright.

And may the best teapot win. Huzzah!!

The First Lady of Splendid Teapot Racing -USA

Posted on August 26, 2015August 27, 2015 by countesssimona

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the ‘First Lady’ of Splendid Teapot Racing: USA – Lois Wallace. It also gives me great pleasure to state that her rig ‘Little Bird’ is the first recorded teapot racing rig in the USA. Little Bird was made in response to Lois viewing a video on Dave Lee’s page, after he came back from the Oamaru Steampunk Festival NZ in June 2015.

In our interview today, a giggling Lois confided to me that “she had never laughed so much in her life and couldn’t stop laughing”, and she knew that she wanted to have a go, so she built Little Bird. Even in our interview Lois’s great sense of humour shone through – so I can see how this appeals to her – a bit like the Monty Python Ministry of Silly Walks.

Lois is a manufacturing jeweler, she has lots of handy bits and pieces and also makes steampunk jewelry which she sells in her shop, Victorian Magpie. Lois also made the medal for the first racing. She has also taught soldering to the Virginia group, “so that their teapots will stay together on the course!”

Her rig has lovely details, a steering wheel, a stick shift ( gear lever in NZ ) and even a tiny gauge. Little Bird – we might have to call Big Bird, unfortunately can’t get around the nasty Ramp of Doom, a bit heavy for the unit, so is undergoing a ‘chop’. I am really looking forward to seeing Little Bird Mark 2. Lois loves the tea party theme and thinks it’s a great fit with steampunk. Lois was attracted to steampunk because, “there are not really any rules,” – it is a personal interpretation of a theme.

Lois met Daniel Lee Hawk at an art exhibition that he was in and they have struck up a great friendship. Lois has been very involved in the organisation of the Virginia Chapter, but was unfortunately overseas – in France ( so we will forgive her) for the very first USA event hosted in August by the Virginia group. Lois has been successfully working behind the scenes to get Splendid Teapot Racing to the Steampunk Worlds Fair in May 2016 – so look out for this event.

Thanks Lois for your mahi (work) and matangareka (enthusiasm) in establishing Splendid Teapot Racing in the USA.

A Jolly Good Rig – the Earl Grey

Posted on August 24, 2015August 24, 2015 by countesssimona

I have to say that I am really impressed with what is happening in USA with Splendid Teapot Racing. The Splendid Teapot Racing USA – Virginia Chapter hosted the first race last weekend. And I also found this excellent blog from Over the Crescent Moon about the building of a rig called the Earl Grey. And this is what teapot racing means – inclusion and fun. Thanks Blaze and Mum for a job well done!

what it started life as .... — what it started life as ….

I really enjoyed this blog and I hope it races really well, it just goes to show that you can make something very simply. You can read about it here.

Where are the Tepoti?

Posted on August 15, 2015August 15, 2015 by countesssimona

Is not the internet a wonderful thing, that can connect the world? Who would have thought so many were looking? This post is just to let you know how many and where you wonderful Tepoti are from. Thank You for looking in and enjoy!

News flash – Canada has joined the Guild

Posted on August 12, 2015August 12, 2015 by countesssimona

It is with great pleasure that I can confirm the existence of a guild in our newest country, Canada. This is great news for our plan for world domination and so continues the phenomenon of Splendid Teapot Racing. Thank you Professor Thaddeus Oliver Glitzmore, esq. etal.

World Famous in Kiwi Land TV

Posted on August 11, 2015August 11, 2015 by countesssimona

And here we are on TV!!!!

Thankyou 4.30 we love you!

News Flash – Splendid Teapot Racing Germany

Posted on August 7, 2015August 7, 2015 by countesssimona

Find our German whanau here – this is so exciting!!!! The founders, from the intelligence that I have received from Dave Lee, states that they hang out here in the Wupperdampf Laboratorium. And we have to thank Herr Barnabas von Cronenberg and Frau Eleonor von Cronenberg for organising this. I salute you all, Huzzah!