Idiotarod

Idiotarod is under new management... After an apocalyptic 2012, the annual shopping cart race and mobile art event is now under the management of the Federal Emergency Racing Agency (FERA) who will be managing the assets, in association with the Department of Homeland Absurdity, to rebuild the event and to support businesses adversely affected by Hurricane Sandy. Idiocy with a purpose! RACE BASICS The IDIOTAROD is the urban version of the Alaskan Iditarod dogsled race but instead of dogs, it's people, instead of sleds, it's shopping carts, and instead of the frozen Alaskan tundra it's frozen New York City. 2013 is the 10th annual event. (www.IdiotarodNYC.com) - Who can race? Anyone. Everyone. Please forward this as you might. - How to register?: Please * email Idiotarodnyc@yahoo.com * indicating your interest and we will send you an event registration form and please RSVP ('join') here. - What's the route? The launch location will be announced to all registrants on Friday, January 25th (the night before the race) and there will be designated checkpoints and a finish line announced to racers at each preceding checkpoint. You will be held at these checkpoints for trials and challenges that must be completed to advance and you will be able to choose your own route between checkpoints as you see fit. - Does each team need a shopping cart? Yes-- And each cart must be creatively decorated with a team name and unique theme being customary. - How does a team win and what do they get? Prizes are awarded for Best in Show, Best Design and other factors at the discretion of the judges. Creativity, imagination and enthusiasm are the key. Speed is not... And bribery will increase your odds! - Is there a rain date? NO! --- Rain, Snow or Hurricane - this race rolls. - Can I help with the race or a checkpoint? Yes, maybe. Please email Idiotarodnyc@yahoo.com with "volunteer" in the subject line and state your interest and skills and we will get back to you. RULES 1. Each team must consist of one shopping cart and at least 5 team mates. 2. Each team can attach things to the cart, make a riding platform, grease the wheels and chop up the cart-- but all pieces must be part of the final design. 3. Bribery Encouraged!: Judges and Checkpoint Monitors enjoy all forms of bribery and favors and, yes, bribery will help garner prizes.  4. Sabotage: Good natured and ingenious sabotage is encouraged but nothing can be done of a malicious nature (like damaging the art of others carts) or that may hurt the existence of the race itself. 5. Do Not Litter!: The hurling of food objects or other materials is strictly prohibited and will result in expulsion from the race. 6. Cart Disposal: The event organizers have made arrangements with the afterparty location for cart display and disposal but each team must clean out each cart and see that their trash is properly disposed of. 7. Respect: Please respect the police, the public, traffic and each other. This event's continued existence is reliant on the cooperation of each participant… Inspired Idiocy = Yes, Douchey Stupidity = No. AFTER THE RACE - Supporting a good cause After the race, all the remaining carts and interested racers will move on to the Gowanus Ballroom for a unique and amazing artistic spectacle where there will be cheap drinks, food and an opportunity to party late into the evening as desired. The Gowanus Ballroom is a 12,000 square foot art and performance space located on the scenic Gowanus Canal that is an artistic metal shop by day and an exhibition, performance and educational space at other times. At this event, the most artistic carts will be displayed while some carts will be fed to the "Cart-A-Pult" installation per each team's preferences. The Gowanus Ballroom is one of the few large art spaces left in NYC that supports things like Idiotarod and we are happy to support them in return.