Hello all,
It was a perfect morning for a trolley derby, and a number of brave and foolhardy souls took to Endeavour Drive to prove their mettle.
The build quality of the trolleys was as variable as it usually seems - if you squinted just right and tilted your head just right, your brain would trick you into seeing a working brake. Or functional steering.
The course was surprisingly steep, and a couple of trial runs indicated that shortening the course might prevent Scouts from being launched into low earth orbit. With Venturers, however, no such concerns.
A number of race heats were run, with excellent driving from everyone and only one minor tip-out.
In the end, Raumati took the Scouts trophy home, with George Stuart declared Scout Driver of the Derby on the strength of his multiple wins for the troop. Well done, Raumati!
The Waikanae Venturers snuck in a dark-horse winner with their interpretation of Thomas The Tank Engine. The adults present figured that if the thing should come apart during the race, the barrel could be used as a safety capsule. Seems to work occasionally at Niagara Falls, anyway.
And Jareth Logan of Ngati Toa was recognised as Venturer Driver of the Derby on his not-quite-legal-but-fascinating-anyway drift trike. One of his screaming runs featured not one but two unplanned 360 slides. The rules did stipulate four wheels, but wasn't explicit about them all being on the ground. And considering how much time the trike spent on two wheels, it might as well have been in the Bicycle class.
A huge thanks to all the parents, leaders, supporters and family members who came out today.
Randall
