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Race 22, Grizly Adams Had A Beard

Back to one of our favourite tracks this season, and no-one called the law this time. It's a good, long road with a terrific gradient and some great curves ending at a bridge that has a troll living under it.
You can't see the troll, but she's down there.
Despite being jammed in the centre of the starting grid, Kymbo methodically overtook everything and blasted into first place. Cameras are too slow to catch it. Lucky for him, Quicksilver didn't race this month.
A shiny new yellow paint job and straight into the lead for Chariot of the Dogs. It was soon hunted down by the heavier supercarts. Looks cool but.
Obsession flies straight and true, overtaking Inspiration with it's sights firmly set on Bootylicious and Ton O' Fun to second place.
Inspiration is the sister cart to Obsession, but 67 times its size. It's bigger than the real car used to transport Chariot of the Dogs. However, it seems to handle and go brilliantly in the skillful hands of its pilot.
That bridge is narrow, and Inspiration is massive! Deft driving by the ladies meant impressive footage but no incident.
Pink as ever, Bootylicious had a great race and was just pipped for fifth in a very tight finish.
The Force debuted at this track the first time we ran it, so is fully aware of its nuances. Nothing fell off it this time, which is always a good sign.
This is where Old 47 usually hangs out. Like a 747 in an aircraft hanger.
And this was it on the track. It missed the previous race even though it was there, when it blew a tyre while still on its trailer. No such problems this time though, although seventh is a bit further back than it's used to.
Some good maneuvering got Enterprise out of a tricky grid position and into some open space to run a strong race to get a top four finish. Those big rear vision mirrors were certainly full...
...mostly of Death Machine. This track suits DM and a top five finish off the front row of the grid was a certainty.
This didn't fool anybody.
Ton O' Fun was back after a break and ready for business. From the last row on the grid it stormed into an impressive third place, leading a tight pack of four behind the first two.
This track is in a remote, heavily forested area notorious for drop bears. Unfortunately one of these fearsome creatures performed its signature attack from a mighty eucalypt over-hanging the road, right in front of Dogmatic and Flash. Flash crashed as a result (nothing to do with the swinging front axle) and it was only the quick thinking of Dogmatic's pilot headbutting the terrifying beast as he went past and scaring it back into the dense bushland that saved both their lives. Unfortunately, this tricky manoeuvre cost valuable speed and is the reason for Dogmatic's uncharacteristic low placing.
Official results:

1. Kymbo
2. Obsession
3. Ton O' Fun
4. Enterprise
5. Death Machine
6. Bootylicious
7. Old 47
8. Inspiration
9. Chariot of the Dogs
10. The Force
11. Dogmatic
12. Flash (DNF – Crashed)

Awesome job by our dedicated support crew – thank you as always! Check out the movie here.

Race 21, The Hamptons

A brand new track, in a nice secluded spot, mostly tar (rough in places), finishing in gravel.
Perfect!
This is the view from Kymbo as he took first place and crashed into the grass embankment at speed. Some would say 'driver error'? Others would say 'gravel finish-line'.
As you can see this bent the wheel a bit for the next races, but didn't seem to effect top speed at all. It was still bloody quick.
This was almost Dogmatic's day, except for getting caught up on the start line. A quick rescue by Death Ray and he was off into second place!
However, by the second race things weren't going so well and for the want of a split-pin, a wheel was lost and it was time to get out and go home.
Trollywood got away to a great start and led for quite a way until being reeled in by Kymbo. It still managed to hang on to third. That's damn good for a loner cart!
Pretty in pink Bootylicious positively hooked down the hill to storm into fourth place. The track seemed to suit it off the line and the big balonies helped the handling.
Death Ray was back and in-form to pick up a top five finish. It's team mate, Death Machine, did not fare nearly so well.
This track didn't seem to suit it and it struggled to get up to speed. A knock at the finish didn't help and it ran the next races seemingly without brakes. Not that he uses them anyway...
Chariot of the Dogs couldn't improve on its previous standing but enjoyed the outing and featured in some close back of pack duels that are a big part of what makes this racing so much fun.
Despite reaching a top speed of 54km/h...
...Enterprise couldn't make it to the pointy end of the field. However, the wheels all stayed on this time which is more than can be said for some other carts. Development is coming on nicely and it's only a matter of time before results improve.
As usual, Quicksilver did a mostly ceremonial race. But in a dramatic turn of events in the second run, its pilot was momentarily blinded by the dust at the finish line and stomped on the anchors to produce a spectacular spin. Unfortunately, he's not used to anyone being behind him...
...and so took out The Force who was minding his own business having a leisurely turn at a more sedate speed.
Of course The Force is well engineered and quite robust so escaped unharmed and will live to race another day. And maybe even win.
Official results:

1. Kymbo
2. Dogmatic
3. Trollywood
4. Bootylicious
5. Death Ray
6. The Force
7. Chariot of the Dogs
8. Enterprise
9. Death Machine
10. Quicksilver

Thank you to all our support crew who trekked out to the middle of nowhere to set us on our way, drive us back to the top of the hill, and take some awesome footage while they were going. Watch the fruits of their labour here.

Race 20, Skippy's Revenge

Thank you to our support crew. Every race they start us off, take good footage and most importantly, keep us safe. It's early, cold, sometimes wet and doesn't carry the same glory the pilots get. But without them, we'd be going nowhere. We appreciate their effort, especially when semis are involved.
We were going to race somewhere else this month, but the weather and some roadworks made that track a bit dumb, so it was off to old reliable Skippy's Revenge. It's not super-fast or super-steep (that's why we run it when the weather's bad), but it can prove deceptive if you haven't run it before and the 90° left hand turn to finish at the base of the hill in the wet is always fun.
And so there are some surprises. This is the official view the other competitors had of The Force, winner of the first place trophy. Some others may have been faster, but to finish first, you must first finish. There was a touch of Steven Bradbury to this result. This track has always finished around the corner and you need good brakes and steering to pull it off.

Official Results:

1. The Force
2. Death Machine
3. Paddles
4. Chariot of the Dogs
5. Flash (Crashed – pushed over line)
6. Bootylicious (Missed corner – pushed over line)
7. Enterprise (Missed corner – pushed over line)
8. Trouble Maker (Two flat tyres, but got there eventually)
9. Whispering Assassin (Missed corner)
10. Midnight Special (Crash – DNF)
    

Paddles was a bit miffed to get beat by a "novelty cart", but that's racing. As you can see, there is the start of some new bodywork, which may help in the aerodynamic department.
Don't be fooled by the body moulded contour seat, Chariot of the Dogs is built for speed. Perfectly balanced, lightweight and nimble, it picked up a respectable fourth place.
Although it did get a bit amorous and try to mount Death Machine. Bad dog! DM powered on to a worthy second place with it's ability to turn corners like it's on rails and a good build up of speed on these longer runs.
Enterprise hasn't raced this hill before so missed the corner in the first race to take a disappointing seventh, but was doing warp factor five when it crossed the line in the second race. So great was the heat generated that the front right wheel bearing melted into oblivion causing catastrophic vehicle steerage failure resulting in a massive crater. That means lots of work in the shed, because it's sister car...
...Flash made it's AIGRF debut. Nice red paint, good brakes, but the 90° left hand turn to finish at the base of the hill in the wet proved too much for the traditional rope billycart steering.
And Flash went crash!

Yet it still managed to beat this. After being parked for a few months, Trouble Maker is back with a new paint job. The last time this cart was white with red scallops, it didn't end well. It didn't start well this time with the front tyres going flat overnight meaning a very s-l-o-w run. Went better later when they were pumped up. Even though the pinstripes are outstanding, I liked it better when it was grey with teeth.
Bootylicious had a temporary pilot who missed the corner and just missed a top 5 finish. It got down the hill plenty quick though.
Midnight Special hadn't raced this track before either and so probably wasn't expecting the last corner to come up so fast. It should have – everything comes up fast in this thing. In spectacular fashion it spun out and mounted the gutter sideways, smashing both left wheels. Luckily there were no injuries and we look forward to seeing it back, hopefully to have more than one run with us.
The Whispering Assassin showed it had the pace, but after witnessing Midnight Special's pirouette á la gutter it decided discretion is the better part of valour and declined to take the 90° left hand turn to finish at the base of the hill in the wet and lived to race another day.

Watch the movie here.

Race 19, Meet the Flinstones

It was time to go to Bedrock again and Meet the Flintstones. Sadly, the council has not seen fit to resurface the road and we are a couple of cameras poorer because of it.
Seriously, they shook right out of their extensively engineered mounts!

Pictures of Old 47 are like pictures of Kymbo – rare. They're usually too far in front to be captured, and if they are they're blurry. 'What was that?' 'Dunno. Looked like Flipper.'
Bootylicious scored a top 5 finish, keeping her carefully applied race-face intact at all times.
I don't even know what this big cart was called. Sometimes I don't pay attention.But this is what a lot of us saw of it.
I do know it's a sister cart to the ever fast Obsession, that suffered from a poor grid position and got caught up in a bit of traffic.
If you just glance at this photo it looks like Quicksilver is a competitive cart...
...but sadly, this picture tells a more accurate story.
Despite his best efforts, Death Machine didn't break anything and finished all three runs. Here he is looking back up the track to get some more footage after a trademark end of race spin.
Teammate Death Ray tries to pass on some tactical information before passing Quicksilver. Or maybe he's just saying 'Hey, your front wheel's turning!'
The Force's repulsorlifts were working perfectly, and it positively glided down the hill with it's newly mounted lipstick camera getting some great footage.
Trollywood had a new pilot who held his nerve and got up on two wheels at the finish. He described the handling as 'a bit wobbly...' He'll be back.
Purpose built to compete in the AIGRF, Paddles always has someone new he wants to beat. At the moment that someone is Whispering Assassin, seen here sporting a new hi-tech windscreen. They were both at the pointy end and it was close.
Right behind them was Ton O' Fun. This thing should be the same speed as Quicksilver. It isn't. It's much, much, much, much, much faster. Some say it's something to do with the pilot...

Official Results:

1. Old 47
2. Whispering Assassin
3. Paddles
4. Ton-o-fun
5. Bootylicious
6. Death Ray
7. Obsession's Sister (or whatever it's called)
8. Death Machine
9. Trollywood
10. The Force
11. Obsession
12. Quicksilver

Our support crew rock, even the ones who have to be dragged hungover from their nice warm beds after only 2 hours sleep and then have to be supervised because they're probably still drunk. The sober ones are even better and the racers appreciate their dedication and acknowledge they wouldn't be going anywhere without them looking out for their safety. Thank you!

Watch the movie here!

Race 18, Weekend Detention

What better detention than to stir up the local suburban streets with 13 karts all pushing for the converted glory of being number one.

After the usual banter and psych up, we’re ready to roll – in literal terms.

Welcome home Blue Bandit. After a few months travelling the world, seeing the sites and searching for new tracks, BB is back with vengeance.

Whether in or out of the seat, Old47 felt at home on this track like a monkey with poo on his finger! It was first or nothing.

Paddles enjoyed a good clean run and worked its way up the leader board.

My God get a tan on those things… Chariot of the Dogs bearing skin in a chance that it may blind enough drivers to crash out.

Kymbo, like gravity, attracts a mass of bodies around it at the start. Don’t be fooled though, when in warp speed – not many can keep up with it.

Showing its mid-rear-end-field dominance, Quicksilver showing others the inside line.

There is nothing like sibling rivalry, with Bootylicious and Ton-o-Fun pushing each other. Champagne for one and tears for the other.

Strong finish for a strong kart, Enterprise had a good run on its maiden trip.

After the near write-off last month, Death Machine had plenty of work to do just to make it back on the track. The repairs must have worked well as DM had another strong race and survived this time without any scars.

Motion blur photography? Nah, it’s just The Force showing its true nature and doing what it does best.

How is that for speed? Death Ray is actually overtaking a car and leaving it as though it was standing still.

DMax and The Force pushing hard to beat the sunrise.

Would you pick this man up at your local bus stop? Wearing a really cool shirt and one hand on the two-way – have a guess which hand!

As always, we would like to thank all supporting crew that help make this happen.

Official results:

1. Old 47
2. Kymbo
3. Ton-o-fun
4. Death Ray
5. Death Machine
6. Paddles
7. Bootylicious
8. Chariot of the Dogs
9. Enterprise
10. The Force
11. Blue Bandit
12. DMax
13. Quicksilver

Check the movie here.

Race 17, Snappy Hour

It has been quite a few months since this track has felt our presence - but it hadn’t forgotten us. Last time, the weather had turned, being wet and damp. This time the sun was shining and the dust was flying.


Whispering Assassin focused and ready to go.


With chunky tyres and a broad wheelbase, Ton-o-fun literally ate this run with a well-deserved first place.


Death Machine pushing the boundaries of gravity with a before…


…during…


…and after shots.


With eyes of a great white shark, Bootylicious is looking for its next prey.


Talking about facial expressions, check out this stunned mullet. DMax’s first race went exceptionally well and made it to the bottom without any problems.


Chariot of the Dogs catching its breath and admiring the sunrise. It maybe a whippet in size but definitely has a nasty bite.


Rematch time between the rock wall and Quicksilver. Last time saw the rock wall deliver a crushing blow to Quicksilver however this time QS just pulled its pants down and said "screw you".


Death Ray and Red Rocket pushing hard, in fact a little too hard on the right hander, with Red Rocket rolling...


…and rolling.


Followed by some precision driving by Bootylicious.


Not to be outdone by Booty, Whispering Assassin shows some neat drifting skills to miss traffic.


Dust from the carnage ahead meant that Paddles had to drive blind and hope for the best.


The Rocket shows its ticker and get back on track.

As always, we would like to thank all supporting crew that help make this happen.

Official results:
1. Ton-o-fun
2. Red Rocket
3. Death Ray
4. Paddles
5. Whispering Assassin
6. Bootylicious
7. DMax
8. Quicksilver
9. Chariot of the Dogs
10. Death Machine

Race 16, Tower of Terror

Tis the month of festivities so why not spread the fun in suburbia by running the Tower of Terror again. A sharp steep drop followed by a nasty left-hander seemed the best way to commence our Christmas cheer. Numbers were low for this race but didn’t mean that the intensity wasn’t there.


Kymbo sporting the Christmas looks and delivers the goods with ease, taking the win with style and grace.


Off and racing. Bootylicious doesn’t mind mixing it up and splitting the boys. In most cases out muscles the men with ease.


More speed in a straight line? Nah, Death Ray proves that going sideways is not an issue and handles it on any course.


Midnight Special taking the lead and on the way to a first place… whoa hang on, would have been first place but ended up carrying too much speed into the left hander, kissed the curb with enough force to retire for the day and also require a few stiches on top of the dislocated knee! Sorry no gore shots!


A veteran runner but sporting a new set of wheels, Chariot of the Dogs made its debut and survived the Tower. Look out in future races for Dogs as it will be there leading the pack.


As one new kart starts, another one retires. Sad to see but Fruit Loop officially retired after this race to greener pastures (to the back shed – to give the red backs something new to play with). The driver will return with a new ball breaker, but not with the same ridiculous paint job though!


Another race, another podium for Ton-o-fun, this time showing the skills of racing in a straight line and only using three wheels. Four wheels are overrated!


Where there’s smoke, there’s the Death Machine. As usual, from the first ever race to now; only ever applying the brakes after the race has finished. Crazy!


The epic battle of all times – Good v Evil – Luke v Vadar, well maybe a slight stretch but the Force is giving Ton-o-fun some serious pressure.


Just cruisin’, Paddles in the overtaking lane about to round up Fruit Loop. Probably the closest two karts on the day with the Loop just managing to scrape home by a whisker.



Check out Whispering Assassin, the body just reeks of speed and proved so with a podium finish even with a flat tyre after hitting a big pothole halfway down the hill. Can’t wait to see its speed on the longer runs.


As always, we would like to thank all supporting crew that help make this happen, especially this time of year when things are most hectic.

Official results:
1. Kymbo
2. Ton-o-fun
3. Whispering Assassin
4. Death Ray
5. Death Machine
6. Bootylicious
7. The Force
8. Fruit Loop
9. Paddles
10. Chariot of the Dogs
11. Midnight Special (D.N.F.)