Salty Sea Dog

Salty Sea DogThis is the Captain Various Miscellaneous Bitsandpieces and my first rig made for the inaugural event at the Steampunknz Festival 2014.

Teapot name and description: One highly modified common aluminium char pot has taken the Incredibly handsome and virile Captain who has travelled the aeather and the seven seas, fought dragons, wrestled krakens into submission with his bare hands, survived the Medusa and reluctantly left the sexy sirens of the sea behind to conquer the perils of doom and to defend the Countess’s’ honour.
His first outing in 2014 was very good and he had a very fast time. His second outing ended in disgrace because someone took of the rubber bands for traction of his wheels and he was ‘outacontrol’. Did you notice that wee hint…..

He is made on the body of a NIKKO $30.00 (on sale) remote control car from the Warehouse. 

And has enough power to get up the ramp and just enough height to get over the jump.

Salty is very light weight being an aluminium pot.

Salty sea dog crop - Photo -P Flury

Summary of hints:

  • Make sure RC unit has several bands ( this will become important in the Drag of Mayhem Race)
  • That the rig has enough clearance not to bottom out on jump –an ability to have at least 3 cm
  • Think light weight – not top heavy. The ramp has a significant banking on it.
  • Have fun, the object is not to get to caught up in the competitiveness it is much more fun for the spectators when you knock stuff over, get stuck or fall off an obstacle. This is a spectator sport!

Cuba Dupa Shenanigans

On Saturday 28th March over 100 keen splendid punters hustled and bustled up to Thistle Hall on Cuba St, with a simply splendid array of finery, frippery, decorated teapots and bribes for the Judges. (I will discuss the fine art of bribery in another post.) The range of ages was preschool to gold card recipients, all magnificently resplendent and from as far flung places  such as Weymouth, UK. Eleven Teapot rigs were present, correct  and cleared for take off.

Best overall and the Challenge Cup
Best overall and the Challenge Cup

It was indeed a splendid occasion with Colonel Hawthorn acting as master of events and myself and Julia Harris judging. We received 2 very fine bribes from Team ATC Mk1 and Team  Tricerateapots. The freshly baked shortbread and chocolate was tremendously appreciated and it would be fair to say the judges could have happily coped with more……

Featuring the Tea Cosy of Doom and the Winners medals. (Hand made by me)
Featuring the Tea Cosy of Doom and the Winners medals. (Hand made by me)

It was great to have Capital! Steampunk NZ organize this event – my grateful and heartfelt thanks to Mrs Hudson and the Colonel. Thank you every one for your supreme efforts, the elegant turn out, splendid rigs and not least all you fine splendid people who travelled from the ends of the earth to be in attendance to support this event. The laughter, ooo’s and ahhh’s, the looks of horror and suspense on the faces of the attendees  spoke more than my words can convey the delight and enjoyment of everyone present.

Leviathan

I just have to say that the Captain and I had so much fun and hilarity at the Wellington event I just can’t wait until Oamaru. In fact I was allegedly  laughing so much at one point that may be or maybe not, I can’t really say for sure, I missed some fine booting of the rigs and not recording a few out of bounds and knock over’s. It was also entirely possible that I nearly abducted a small child to join the circus that is presumed to reside under my spacious crinoline. Huzzah Huzzah Huzzah!!!!!!!!

My right hand man - very clever he is.
My right hand man – very clever he is.

The results: Splendid Tea Pot Racing CubaDupa March 2015

Name -Time -Penalties -Placing /Award /comments

Tricerateapots Wellington
1.53, 0, Fastest – excellent form and bribery was appreciated

Orion – Greytown
1.56, 1, Most entertaining -Barbie on Steroids excellent twirling

Trapped – Wellington
2.30, Too many Did not complete all obstacles – a lot of ladylike booting of the rig with a very fine foot.

Stanley – Wellington
2.46, 10, First Drag Race, Jumped to his doom on the ramp however

Leviathan – Waikanae
2.50, 3, Model Round – made funny because of the size of the rig

ATC Mk1- Lower Hutt
2.54, 8, Challenge Cup and Best overall. Bribery, style, agility, costumes and team spirit these guys had it all including spillages and a rearing teapot

ETS- Dunedin
3.06, 4, The cutest and smallest teapot with impressive aerodynamics

RosyLee-Weymouth UK
3.21, Too many. First time attempt. The chintz covered teapot
had a lot of assistance from the foot.

Kraken Kruiser- Whangarei
3.45, Too many  Not an exemplary round

Salty Sea Dog – Dunedin
N/C,Trouble with skiddy wheels – very embarrassing

Motor Morpheus – Dunedin
N/C, Tea Cosy of Doom Electrical connectivity issues – equally embarrassing, redeemed themselves in the drag race with a respectable second