Splendid Teapot Racing Rules

These are the official rules of Splendid Teapot Racing, originating in Wellington, New Zealand by the Capital! Steampunk group and the creator of the sport, Simone Montgomery. They are reproduced here with permission. (Modified for 2021 Cogs and Corsets)

Advance online registration in no longer available. Please go to the Registration Desk on the corner of Jefferson and Main Streets to register.

1. The Vehicle

  • Vehicles shall consist of a teapot of the Contestant’s choice, mounted upon 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, titivated, or accessorized as the Contestant sees fit.
  • Multi-band controls are available for some brands of radio-controlled vehicles, which may be useful should they wish to compete in any drag race.
  • 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 below.

2. The Course

  • The Course, which shall be laid out according to the whim of the Judges and without regard to the wishes of any other party, shall consist of Hazards, possibly including a Ramp, a Tunnel, a Jump and/or divers Obstacles of a breakable nature.
  • Vehicles must negotiate the Course as specified by the Judges, one Vehicle at a time, within the allotted time of two minutes. Vehicles which 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.
  • At the discretion of the Judges, the contest may also include a drag race. This will partly depend upon there being Vehicles capable of racing together without interference to each other’s radio control systems, although exceptions may be made in the interests of amusement.

3. Time

Time deducted for:
  • Bribery of the Judges (0:15)
  • Showmanship (dress, singing, dancing, jokes, etc) (0:15)
Time added for:
  • Any manual assistance given to the Vehicle (whether by the Contestant or another party) (0:05)
  • Failure to negotiate a Hazard: 1st – (0:15) 2nd – (0:30) 3 or more – disqualification.
  • Vexing of the Judge(s), or other contestants (0:15)

4. Prizes

Prized may be awarded at the Judges’ discretion for:
  • Best overall Vehicle decoration
  • Best Contestant interaction
  • Most entertaining attempt at the Course
  • Most rapid completion of the Course
  • Most rapid drag