Side-by-side, tricycles line up along a straight line, their riders shifting uncomfortably as their knees strain to be parallel with their chins. All the riders wait, apprehension in the air for the moment the rowdy race would begin.
Every fall, Clark Residential College holds the Clark Olympics, with one of its events being a tricycle race. Inspired by the entertainment seen from the Clark Olympics, Dunker’s Derby was born.
Chris Trzepacz, Clark’s college head, said he is looking forward to watching the campus communities come together and revel in the event.
“The Residential Colleges are always looking for new ways to engage and entertain their communities,” Trzepacz said. “It was obvious to the College Heads that a tricycle race could be an event that all the Residential Colleges could celebrate.”
The College Heads submitted a funding proposal and were awarded a mini-grant to purchase eight heavy-duty tricycles and helmets, one for each residential college, to decorate and personalize before the race.
Each of the eight residential colleges will have a team of four riders, who will collectively race around the Curris Center loop 10 times. Each rider must complete two consecutive laps before they can swap with another teammate.
Paige Watson, Hart Residential College’s RCC president, said she pictures the derby to be adjacent to a round of Mario Kart.
“I think what I’m looking forward to most is, since it is called Dunker Derby, (that) Dunker will be there,” Watson said. “That will give a lot of great picture opportunities. It’s going to be so entertaining to watch, even if you aren’t on a team.”
The riders will swap out at a designated pit area after they have completed their portion of the derby. To make things more chaotic, the track will have several inflatable obstacles and challenges.
The team that makes 10 laps in the shortest time will earn the Derby Champion title and claim the derby trophy as well as the bragging rights associated with it.
Tessa Bradley, Franklin Residential College RCC president, said she’s been looking forward to the derby for months.
“While the idea of a bunch of adult college students racing on children’s tricycles is a bit silly, we’re all taking it very seriously,” Bradley said. “I know multiple teams have held try-outs and practices to make sure their team is ready.”
The derby is set for 6 p.m., Wednesday April 9, at the Curris Center parking lot loop.
“College can be very stressful, and adulting can be hard,” Trzepacz said. “Our students don’t often have the opportunity and license to be unabashedly silly, and I feel this is one such opportunity.”
