Belt Sander Races.. no joke...

It was a patriotic weekend. The 10th anniversary of Sept. 11th 2001 had all American out celebrating our country, our freedom.

My weekend was spent down on the Texas coast with some friends, and we got pretty American with our activities.

We watched the twice monthly Belt Sander Races at The Gaff in Port Aransas, TX. People, it does not get more American than this....

It takes place in the backyard of The Gaff. This bar is a real all-American mix of biker bar meets pirate party. The decor is pirate stuff, much like the name. But it is a real dive bar that Harley lovers frequent more than most. They only serve beer and pizza, so grab a brew and a slice and head to the back where the crowd gathers to watch the action.

We found some plastic chairs around the dilapidated wooden tables and pulled them over to wooden barriers a few feet from the track. The track is also wooden (heaven forbid one of these sailors or belt sander race drivers drop one of their cigs, this place would be demolished instantly) and runs the length of the yard, approximately 75ft.

There are two track judges. One is pictured, and was late to the start of one of the heat races because he was getting another round. This particular guy stands at the start line and makes sure no one jumps the gun. The other is at the other end of the track and calls the win. This is very technical stuff.

Anyway once the judges took their place we started the race day with the National Anthem. Let me note something here too... I have never felt so American. And folks, I have been a part of Military funerals, National Anthems at Yankee Stadium, a Veteran salute at the Giants/Cowboys game in Cowboy Stadium, among many other very patriotic moments. This took the cake.

There I was, standing with my two best friends and boyfriend. We were surrounded by God-fearing, right-thinking Americans from all over, there to race their favorite backyard tool down a homemade track in the backyard of their favorite dive bar. NASCAR had nothing on the Belt Sander Races.

Before the real racing started we each picked our choice for the win. I went with Wave Rider, pictured below and Kyndall went with Land Shark.

The races are set up in a bracket format. Each sander is paired against another and the winner moves on. Illegal Alien was Champion on this Saturday beating Wave Rider handily. Third place went to Land Shark who just barely beat Beach Bum. The real loser of the day was Granny who didn't even make it off the starting line against White Lightning in one of the first heat races.

It was a fantastic Saturday afternoon and I'm pretty sure my engineer boyfriend is considering a belt sander racing future after considering all evening how he could make one lighter and faster than the sanders we saw.

If you ever get a chance to stop by The Gaff on the second or fourth Saturday of the month, I highly recommend it. And if not, you can check them out later this September on the History Channel. The Hairy Bikers show came through and did a special on the races, and obviously I'll let you know exactly when it will air as soon as I find out!


xoxo Sara Marie