Outhouse Race
The Great Bristol Outhouse Race runs in a straight line from the crosswalk in front of St. Ambrose Catholic Church on West Street to the finish line at the traffic light. There are 3 outhouses entered per heat and there are usually four heats. The actual course length has never been measured but is approx. 500 feet. Race "Headquarters" with the registration table is set up under a tent on the west side of the announcer's stage in front of Holley Hall. A large poster showing the number of heats, the entries for each heat and the ticket color assigned to each entrant, and, as the race progresses, the winner of each heat is displayed at the tent. The heat assignments are made in a random drawing. The winner of each heat then moves on to the final heat to determine who will be the World Champion Outhouse Racer.
Betting
Prior to each heat, ticket sellers wander through the crowd selling tickets for $1.00. They will be wearing a board that shows the competitors for the upcoming heat and the corresponding ticket color. You can purchase tickets for any or all of that heat's competitors. All tickets are numbered and double, so the purchaser gets one half and the seller retains the other half. Purchasing ceases as soon as the countdown to the start begins.
If your chosen competitor does not win, you can discard your ticket in the proper receptacle. If your chosen competitor wins, you are entered into a drawing against all of the other winning ticket holders from that heat. During the trophies and awards presentation after the final, a single winning ticket for each heat will be drawn for a cash prize.
Your dollar, along with all the other dollars wagered, will go to help defray the costs of next year's Bristol 4th of July celebration.
Race Rules
Please read these rules carefully although there aren't many rules, you may risk disqualification if you don't comply and please be sure that you have filled out and submitted your entry form and paid your entry fee.
Please meet in front of Holley Hall at about 8:30 AM. Race begins at 9:00 AM and lasts about 1 1/2 hours.
1. NO ROPES MAY BE USED TO PROPEL THE OUTHOUSE FRAMES! RUNNERS CAN ONLY PUSH OR PULL.
2. A TEAM HAS TWO RUNNERS AND ONE RIDER. ALL TEAM MEMBERS MUST BE AT LEAST 13 YEARS OLD OR OLDER.
3. THE RIDER MUST WEAR A SAFETY HELMET. THE RIDER'S SEAT MUST BE FIRMLY ATTACHED TO THE FRAME.
4. DECORATIONS: YOUR OUTHOUSE FRAME DECORATIONS MUST INCLUDE:
- THREE SIDES (a back, and enclosures on each side)
- NONE OF THE DECORATIONS MAY STICK OUT BEYOND THE EDGES OF THE FRAME BY MORE THAN A FEW INCHES. (Please don't use nails to fasten decorations- use staples or tape)
5. CASTERS: YOUR FRAME COMES EQUIPPED WITH 2 INCH CASTERS. YOU MAY REPLACE THESE WITH CASTERS OF YOUR OWN CHOOSING, BUT THEY MAY NOT BE
ANY LARGER THAN 3 INCHES AND MUST SWIVEL THROUGH 360 DEGREES. At the conclusion of the race, please replace your casters with the casters that initially came with your frame. OTHER THAN ABOVE, PLEASE DO NOT MODIFY YOUR FRAME.
6. IF AT ANY POINT PRIOR TO RACE DAY YOU DETECT A PROBLEM WITH ANY PART OF YOUR FRAME OR IT'S CASTERS, PLEASE CONTACT TED LYLIS AT 453-3751 (tlylis@gmavt.net).
7. ON THE DAY OF THE RACE IF YOU DETECT PROBLEMS, THERE IS A PERSON WITH A TWO-WAY RADIO AT THE STARTING LINE, ONE AT THE FINISH LINE, AND ONE AT THE
REGISTRATION TENT. PLEASE HAVE ONE OF THEM CONTACT TED LYLIS (we have a ready supply of replacement casters and parts on site).
8. THE DECISIONS OF THE JUDGES AT THE STARTING LINE, THE JUDGES AT THE FINISH LINE, AND THE RACE ORGANIZER ARE FINAL. We only want everyone to have a safe and fun time.
9. PLEASE STRIP ALL OF YOUR DECORATIONS FROM THE OUTHOUSE FRAME AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE RACE.
10. PLEASE PUT YOUR FRAME ON THE MEDIAN STRIP BETWEEN THE POST OFFICE AND COMMUNITY BANK.