Outhouse Races in Virginia City

Event Schedule

Saturday
9 a.m. – Registration check-in.
9 a.m. to 11a.m. – all outhouses in place and technical inspection in the pit area – Bucket of Blood parking lot.
11 a.m. – Registration ends. Prepare for the parade.
noon – Parade begins
12:45 p.m. – Drawing for race starting position.
1 p.m. - First race
1:30 p.m. – Second race
2 p.m. – Third race
2:30 p.m. – Fourth race
3 p.m. – Fifth race
3:30 p.m. – Sixth race
4:00 p.m. – Seventh race
And so on until all outhouses have raced.
• All times are approximate to allow for set-up and preparing for a race.
• The street will be closed for races only; then reopened so that traffic can proceed.
• After each race, outhouses will turn around in the Delta Parking Lot and return to the pit area.

Sunday
10 a.m. to noon – Check in: (you may make adjustments or repairs during this time but NO rebuilding -- Check with judges)
noon - first elimination starts
12:30 p.m. – second elimination
1 p.m. – Approx. time & race: First Semi-final Race
1:30 p.m. – Second Semi-final Race
2 – 3 p.m. Final race(s) for the Championship
Approx. time – 3:30 awards in the pit area

Official Rules and Entry Form

Specifications

Outhouses must meet the following specifications:

1. Minimum weight: 200 pounds (without driver). Bring an official weigh-in proof of poundage.
2. Minimum height: 6 feet from the ground to the highest point on the main body of the outhouse (chimneys, flags, signs etc. don't count).
3. Minimum size: 9 square feet of floor.
4. Outhouses must be completely enclosed with an operating door (curtain closure ok).
5. Contain a toilet seat, roll of toilet paper and be able, if required, to be a functional outhouse.
6. Outhouses may have any number or type of wheels and types of devices for crewmembers to grasp while propelling the outhouse.
7. Steering and breaks are optional.
8. Outhouses may be built of any material.
9. Outhouses may not have a motor - must be pushed, or pulled by hand, by two crew members.
10. Outhouses may have logo, company or personal names painted on sides, top, or on inside, but NOT required, although each outhouse should have a catchy name.

Crew

A crew shall consist of three members, two pushers, driver/rider, and/or two alternates (optional); all pre-registered, and all of whom should be of basic humanoid ancestry (No dogs or other animals that can't make a reasonable choice may ride in, or pull/push, the outhouse).

Racing Format

Racing begins on Saturday after the parade. Two outhouses race at a time in double elimination, every half-hour beginning at 1 p.m., until all outhouses have raced.
Finals begin Sunday at noon and race until all semi-winners have raced, followed by awards ceremony.

Race Rules

1. All Outhouses, pushers/pullers and riders (teams) including alternates, must be checked in no later than 9 a.m. on Saturday (no one younger than14 yrs. old).
2. Outhouse racing teams will consist of two pushers and a driver/rider.
3. Outhouses must be pushed or pulled by human power only. NO motors, sails, dog teams or gas-assisted propulsion is allowed.
4. Outhouses must be kept in the designated area while not racing.
5. At the starting line no portion of the outhouse may extend over the line. It will be the judge's determination as to a re-start.
6. Outhouse teams must maintain control/contact with their outhouse at all times during the race.
7. Outhouses must remain in their designated lane during the entire race. IF an out house crosses into a competitor's lane and, in the opinion of the judges, interferes with that outhouse's ability to race, the offending outhouse will be disqualified for that heat.
8. The fist outhouse to reach the finish line (with any part of the outhouse) will be determined the winner by the judges.
9. In case of a tie, or photo finish, the race will be re-run if determined by the judges.
10. The decisions of the judges are final.

Entry fees and deadlines:
1. Entry fee is $50 for each outhouse entered.

2. Teams may enter as many outhouses as they desire.
NOTE: The entry fee is used to cover event expenses, awards, entertainment, insurance and supplies. All funds remaining after expenses (if any) will go to the Virginia City Chamber of Commerce.

3. Deadline: The entry deadline is Saturday, October 3 at 9 a.m. at the Bucket of Blood Parking lot. Pre-registration is recommended before Sept. 25.
(All outhouses must be in place between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.)

4. Teams may register in advance by mailing fees to:
Milly Batchelor, Outhouse Race Organizer, 2975 Parkland Dr. Sparks NV 89434 OR: P.O. Box 464, Virginia City, NV 89440. Teams may also email mbatchdoo@netscape.net (subject-outhouse races) for any questions about the race, or forms. Make checks payable to: VC Chamber of Commerce.

For previous racers only!
The following is with NO exceptions.
Pre registration is required: The reduced fee MUST be sent in before Sept. 25, 2009.
If you raced last year (and we have your name): All outhouse racers who participated in the Virginia City Outhouse Races Oct. 4-5, 2008 may register each outhouse they raced last year for $25.00 But, your entry form must be received before the deadline date (after Sept. 25, and the day of the race, the fee will be the standard $50.00 for 2009).


Note: Pre registration is encouraged – see entry form. First come, first numbers and positions in pit locations.

1. Sign-in/Registration will take place at the Bucket of Blood Parking lot, C and Union Streets, at 9 a.m. This will be called the “pit” area. The team “captain” should come to the “pit office” (the table) to receive your number and sign-in.
---- bring your proof of weight.
2. If you are registering on Sat. you must sign-in, get your number, fill out the entry forms, and the names of your team members, and yes, pay your entry fee, if not paid previous.
3. All outhouses are to be in the pit area no later that 11 a.m.
4. All team members and alternates must sign in on Sat.
NOTES:
1. All teams are advised to bring chairs, coolers, and some type of shade.
2. It is advised that someone on your team, or team “family” stay with the outhouse at all times. –We don't want “kids” –big or little, playing with the outhouses.
*ALSO: the public will be encouraged to vote on the outhouses – see awards.


• Technical inspections for size, height, and weight specification will take place between the hours of 9 – 11 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 3. Any changes or alterations are to be finished before the parade at noon – the decisions about changes or alterations will be discussed with the judges followed by a final inspection.
• If repairs are to be made on any outhouse, either during the day, or for the next days' race, any and all repairs must be discussed with the judges before making the repairs, or the outhouse may be disqualified.
• All outhouses are allowed, and encouraged, in the parade even if they do not meet inspection rules.

Each outhouse “captain” will receive an outhouse number when entering the “pit” area that is to be attached somewhere to the outside of the outhouse. Numbers will be placed in a bag and a drawing will be held after the parade for placement in the double elimination race. All teams must be ready to race their outhouse during the race time(s).

OVERNIGHT
Most outhouses are left in the pit area over night and we rope it off. We would like to request that all outhouses are to be left in the pit area but as you know, unless someone spends the night there, they are not watched – the sheriff patrols more often, and if you wish to stay with your outhouse, you may. BUT, one person only please! And NO kids! IF you feel you cannot leave your outhouse, you MUST consult with the judges before removing your outhouse or it will be disqualified.



Saturday at noon the parade will begin at the Bucket of Blood parking lot on “C” street and proceed up the hill past the Washoe Club where the outhouses must turn around and come back to the pit area. All other entries may continue on to the 4th Ward school.
• All entries must come to the “pit office” to receive a parade entry number.
• All outhouses, teams and crews are asked to participate.
• All other parade participants will line up on “B” street and enter the parade route alternately, or in the pit area.
• The parade is open to all outhouses, sponsors, cars, drill teams, bands, floats, horses and riders, clowns, and all other traditional parade entries. (NO tossing candy or other articles to spectators, although you may toss them to the ground.)
• Let your friends know we WANT parade entries – all types

1. The public is invited to vote on the Prettiest, Most Traditional, Most Unusual. The votes will be counted before the final race on Sunday afternoon and awards given at the awards ceremony.
* The race judges have nothing to do with the winners of these categories. One of your crew members may want to stay near your outhouse to answer questions any public viewer may have.
2. Awards will be given for race winners: Fastest overall, 1st runner-up, 2nd, and 3rd place.
3. Each outhouse “captain” will receive an ornament to hang in their outhouse upon registration.
4. The awards ceremony will be held in the pit area after the last race and the tallies are finished on Sunday afternoon; all participants are invited and encouraged to come. Please do not remove any outhouse until after the ceremonies are finished. The estimated time is somewhere between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m.
“Ladies-Only”
6. For the second time, we will be racing “Ladies-only” races.
There will be 1st and 2nd place winners if enough Ladies register – if not: 1st place only.
* Thank you BOTCHA-CALOOP'S INC. for the wonderful awards. P.O. Box 125, Virginia City, NV 89440 – 775-847-9693


* There are three public vote categories: Prettiest,
Most Traditional and Most Unusual.
* Sign-up and register for the men or ladies race.