The Great Hand Car Regatta and the ZAP Ale Car

If anyone was wondering what is the Great Hand Car Regatta, well, here is a video collection of some of the more fabulous entries. Hand cars are the human powered train cars from a bye-gone era and you’ll see some of the traditional kind, but mostly some new-fangled kinetic sculptures based on hand cars. In the words of the Public Address announcer, it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about showing up, and many of the hand cars that turned out were feats of imagination. In fact, the competition is almost a sideline of the main event, people watching. The costumes, sculptures, entertainment and music are a feast for the senses.

Also included is a first-hand account on team ZAP and the Alia… I mean Ale Car. No, it’s not an Ale-powered car, it’s a pedal powered car, the creation of ZAP machinist Ben Conrad and ZAP founder Gary Starr. Also thanks to other volunteers Justin, Brad, Craig, Ricky and Frederic for building the car in their spare time. Did we forget anyone? Well, the ZAP Ale Car was highly celebrated, but lost out in the semi-finals, apparently throwing a chain. Good job battling the heat, the junk parts and the wildly dressed crowds. “More grueling than the X PRIZE,” says team leader Gary Starr. Better luck, next year ZAP!

See more sights and sounds from the Great Hand Car Regatta at http://handcar-regatta.com/.

Musical credit to the great Scott Joplin and his “Maple Leaf Rag” http://ia341329.us.archive.org/2/item…