Public Square Group put on what I think was their 2nd anual Big Race. It’s pretty simple, push off from the starting line and the first one to the bottom wins. There’s a class for Big Wheels, a class for skateboards ridden coffin style, and an open class for the weirdo rides. There was a solid crowd and some wild gravity powered contraptions. Some were built like tanks and others simply self destructed under their own weight from the g-forces.
The location for the event was the old E.W. Massacre spot that we used to race coffin style on our lunchbreaks at Jakprints when we were on W78th. It starts from the end of W65th and goes down through the pedestrian tunnel to Edgewater Park. Hence the name E.W. Massacre. Get it, “E” for Edge and “W” for Water? Anyways, PSG decided on a less brutal name and so the Big Race was born.
Here’s the gal from one of the sponsors of the event, Root Cafe (think her name is Julia), Kristian, and Eddie looking over the action from above the tunnel. I pulled the old “stand there with the camera like I’m about to take a picture until they do anything but ignore me” move. A thumbs up, a distant gaze, and a large grin. Not too shabby.
Ah yes, Mr. Vince Frantz from PSG doing what he does best, run things. He usually has some type of microphone, walkie-talkie, or megaphone at these events as well as a clipboard. This time he went all out with three clipboards. Keep up the great work buddy.
Then there’s the man behind the lens. Jurgen! How are you going to have me setup a login for you to make posts on here and not even mess around a little? If anyone wants to take over Jurgen’s spot the only requirement is that you do anything at all with the site. Just email info@savemefromordinary.com with the subject line “I can do better than Jurgen, which obviously isn’t hard.” and I’ll set you up. Maybe that light a fire under him…
Onto the racers rides. The big wheel is the Skull Crusher complete with ape hanger bars and extra Duct tape on the front forks for added hillbilly edge. The little one in front is the Stinky Pinky. They even added dingle berries. Nice touch.
Here’s the HMS Hellbelly. This thing is built like a brick shit house. In the preliminaries I saw him run down two trannies in the tunnel like it was nothing. I think he actually went faster after he hit them. Now that’s impressive. Real quality craftsmanship.
…and on the completely opposite end of the spectrum is this little example of “how not to build a Big Race machine”. The one thing that the Big Race will show you is where the weak spot is. Whether it’s your bike’s frame or your mortal soul, whatever the weak spot is the Big Race will push until it gives.
Finally some action. This is the middle pack of the open class coming in hot around turn two.
The walk back up the hill is always great for photo ops. Jules actually traded a set of Nike SB Blazers in exchange for Ben to write WESTSIDE in his own blood on his Big Wheel. It actually turned out pretty good.
Piss off!
Jacob! He’s the real big brother, always around to capture the good footage.
No pictures please! Are those firecrackers in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
Hey Gorby, we’ll take a round on the house. I think he should win best board.
Westside Shark Bait.
Dunbar was the lineman at the race, well the man on the finish line that is. Har har har.
The Wrecker posing. Surfs up brah!
And the winners is…
Open Class: First place went to Sean Scott and second went to Troy Tekavcic.
Big Wheel Class: First place went to “Bloody” Ben Groto and second to Adri Tekavcic.
Skateboard Coffin Class: First place went to Jerry Malafa and second to Ringo Coburn.
Better show up next year or this bloody clown will get into your dreams with his rainbow wig and Hot Wheels shirt and keep you from getting a good night’s rest.
Or this guy will drive his bitchin’ ‘Vette into your living room and do a huge burnout. Though some people may thing that’s cool. The point is the Big Race is great and you should go next year if you missed it this year.
Support these local sponsors who helped make this and many other events possible in your fair city of Cleveland: Public Square Group, Now That’s Class, Spitfire, Root Cafe, Jakprints, Scene, Crazy Mullets, Westside, and Pizza Den. See you next year!