Trolley

The Nelson Trolley Race (or Robertson Trolley Race to give the sponsors credit) is an annual event on Collingwood Street.  In the U.S. we would call this a Soapbox Derby.  Trolley builders from all over New Zealand and Australia gather at the top of Collingwood to run their trolleys down the street with the final winner crowned "Monarch of the Hill."  The Derby has been going since the 1950s and is the subject of the New Zealand film Kiwi Flier.

The trolleys are lined up for inspection at the top of Collingwood Street.

They come in all shapes and sizes.

No need to throw out that kayak with the hole in the bottom!

The Spirit of Burt Munro.  You can refer to Burt in a previous blog entry.

Buoy Racer.  That's funny!

777

Some of the trollys are quite elaborate.

This was my favourite.

Slow as molasses but full of class.

The race is on!

The Spirit of Burt Munro takes the lead.

The kayak was faster on land than water!

Some of the trolley drivers were very laid back.

There were a lot of spectators.  Many brought their dogs.

Some brought their goats. This is the attitude that have kept the Cubs from winning a World Series.

Even the wee tykes get in on the action.

How do the trolleys get back tot the top of the hill?

Now you know!

Here is the trailer for Kiwi Flier:

I have to stop.