Giant Snail Race at Raglan Shire

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Saturday May 31, Raglan Shire was the scene of the month's cross-country Giant Snail Race. The Giant Snail Races are organized by RacerX Gullwing and his team. The races take place very Saturday, usually on RacerX's obstacle course in Devon Dream. But during the Relay for Life fundraising season, they hold a cross-country race on the last Saturday of Relay months. In the past, these races to raise funds for charity were held on the mainland. But starting this year, RacerX began offering a charity auction with the location of the next race as the prize. And Raglan won the chance to be the location for May's race.

Normally the snails in cross-country races are in two groups. Those paying a 2500 Linden entry fee start right on the starting line, with those paying a 500 L one starting a little further back. This time, there was an additional starting place further back,with an entry fee of  just 100L.

Across the tiny community, the giant snails made their way across streets, trails, ramps, streams, and walkways. The use of "teleport logs" made things a bit confusing as the snails tried to follow the course, some locals commenting "looks like now they're not sure what is going on." "I hadda idee dis wuz gonna be barely controlled chaos." "Thats nuffin' new in Raglan. Hehehe." But despite that and the lag, a good time was had by all.

The locals sat in various locations to watch the race. Some were showing their humor, such as this kitty looking like a patron at a French restaurant, which if you're a snail is the last place you want to be.

Raglan's tinies already have a reputation for having plenty of chaotic fun. The addition of giant snails just added to it. "We got runned ober!" "I BEEN SLIMED!!" "Ewwwww, tentacles touching me!!" "Told ya things could get crazy."

And at the end, there was the usual celebration and dance, with everyone who made their way to the finish line getting a trophy.

The unofficial list was as follows (RacerX accidentally crossed the line at 10):

 Lominola Rehula 1
 Lulee Babenco 2
 Bree Himmel 3
 Tapple Gao 4
 Vanessamendonca Resident 5
 Tindallia Soothsayer 6
 Alden Cortes 7
 Shady Fox 8
 Loopy String 9
 Temba Resident 11
 Fullauto Vandyke 12
 Cinders Vale 13
 Trebek Raymaker 14
 Caleb Kit 15
 Linn Darkwatch 16
 SkippyMcSkipperson Resident 17
 Galaxar Darkstone 18
 Cobbie Tigerpaw 19
 Kaydge Resident 20
 Seth Stratten 21
 Safra Nitely 22
 Rendal Constantineau 23
 Sweecahcahche Ah 24
 Panacea Pangaea 25
 Morganne Darkstone 26

RacerX would later offer a video of the race.



(click here if the video fails to play)

Bixyl Shuftan

The April 2012 Cross-Sim Snail Race

Saturday April 28th was the Cross-Sim Snail Race for April 2012. Organized by RacerX Gullwing, the race was held to raise funds for the Relay for Life, as well as hold a racing competition not on a racetrack, but across a stretch of mainland.

 RacerX Gullwing, the organizer of the Giant Snail Races, in his custom rabbit avatar.

The Racers at the starting line, with the  SL Newser blimp hovering nearby, "The press has arrived." Someone joked to Racer of the giant snail avatars, "They're all just starring at you like they want to eat you!"

And they're off!

It was a little hard keeping up with the racers in the blimp.

Eventually, the blimp was returned to my inventory, and I kept up with the snails just by flying.

The lag could sometimes cause some strange visual effects.

 Some of the scenery was quite artistic.

I ended up crashing, and coming back online heard from Relayer Bain Finch that the snails were caught in lag near the newcomer hangout "The Shelter." Here, Snurky Snoodle passes a church near it.

And continues to make progress.

Course changes were marked by signs and arrows like these. Unfortunetly, they didn't always rezz in time for some racers.

But for most they did, and they continued to make progress at different rates, though some ended up in groups.

 And some had no one else nearby.

 Finally the Finish Line, next to a giant fembot.

And one by one they crossed.

 The winner of the race was Gareth8 Albatros, who crossed the finish line before the treet.tv cameramen or myself could see him. He joked, "Finally I win a race, and there are no cameras to record the event."

Snurky Snoodle came in 2nd
Kerhop Seattle came in 3rd
Firery Broome came in 4th
Alden Cortes came in 5th

Derek Sienkiewicz came in 6th
Cinders Vale came in 7th
MiniMaylu Naxo scame in 8th
Oodlemi Noodle came in 9th

Safra Nitely came in 10th

Tindallia Soothsayer came in 11th

It was noted that the crowds were lighter than normal for a cross-sim race. Some Relayers speculated the Fantasy Faire had drawn many away. Still, everyone involved had a good time. Cinders Vale, "Thanks to everyone who put such a great race on!" Gareth8 Albatros, "Let's do it again somewhen!" Snurky Snoodle, "Thanks Racer! Way to go, we're all winners!" Derek Sienkiewicz, "My first race, and it was great fun, and all for a good cause."

There are three more cross-sim races this season. Keep an eye out for the one later this month.


And finally, the recording of the race, courtesy of RacerX and treet.tv.

"Go snails!"

Bixyl Shuftan