Teapot Race

Ready, set….RACE! Navigate your remote controlled Teapot through a variety of obstacles to reach the finish line in the shortest amount of time! Such obstacles you need to traverse could include ramps, tunnels, jumps and balanced items that need maneuvering around, so it’s important you make sure to follow the size specifications for your teapot! You will be timed when your Teapot leaves the starting line and the timer will stop when you have passed the finish line. Each Teapot will get one run on the course with the fastest times winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. In the event of a tie, a second run may be required.

There will also be a design competition with judges choosing 1st, 2nd and 3rd place based on your Teapot originality and artistry.

Contestants:

Anyone is able to participate in the race, but anyone under 18 must have the permission of a parent or guardian.

Equipment Needed:

  • One teapot mounted on a radio-controlled chassis. It is recommended that contestants consult their local hobby shop or electronics shop for a suitable base vehicle, which may then be modified or accessorized. See modification rules below.

Race Rules:

Modified from the New Zealand Splendid Teapot Racing Rules, created by Simone Montgomery:

  • From the start line you’ll be given the go by the timing judge, and you must race your teapot on the course outlined by the judges. There may be any number of obstacles, unknown beforehand, including ramps, jumps, and tunnels which may break your teapot!
  • Racers will have three minutes to negotiate the course as specified by the judges, one vehicle at a time. Vehicles that have not completed the course within three minutes will be disqualified. Contestants may, if they wish, walk with their vehicle as it negotiates the course.
  • The skipping of any obstacle is not permitted. If a vehicle is unable to pass an obstacle within the three minute timeframe, the course is considered incomplete and the racer is disqualified. Please see design specifications below to ensure your teapot racer will be able to navigate the course.
  • Manually moving a vehicle or obstacle is not permitted during the course run, nor is any other outside interference, by the contestant or spectators.
  • When the vehicle passes the finish line, the timing judge will stop your time.
  • There will be only one run for each teapot in the race with the fastest times to full completion winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. In the event of a tie, a second run may be required.
  • NOTE: In normal Splendid Teapot Racing games, both bribery of the judges and showmanship are considered integral in choosing a winner. For the purposes of the Symposium Olympiad, bribery is not permitted, due to the nature of the overall airship competition, where none of the other games include it as an aspect. We pride ourselves on a fair and unbiased competition, and some of the contestants take the games very seriously. That said, any showmanship you want to include is entirely up to you! And do be aware that any other event you may go to with Teapot Racing is likely to include bribery as part of the fun. We are just choosing not to include it here.

Awards:

  • 1st Place Winner
  • 2nd Place Winner
  • 3rd Place Winner

Teapot Racer Design Rules:

  • No vehicle shall exceed 30 centimeters in height, 30 centimeters in width, or 40 centimeters in length (including any flags, aerials, etc.). Vehicles which exceed these measurements will be permitted to compete, but will be penalized and may encounter difficulties in negotiating the hazards noted above.
  • Any other modification is permitted, provided that it does not impact the safety of spectators, or the other participants’ vehicles.

Awards:

  • 1st Place Winner
  • 2nd Place Winner
  • 3rd Place Winner