Swamp Buggy Races

We recently took a walk on the red-neck side of the tracks, and went to the Swamp Buggy Races. Right here in Naples, too, just down the road about a mile or two from our house.

The "track" is a water-filled canal of varying depths, from about one foot to maybe five feet or so. The "buggies" are a marine version of dirt track race cars. They have huge, finned wheels for traction across the top of the water.


Another version of the buggies was the modified jeep category. They plowed through the water, and did not float on top of it. If they tracked across the occasional invisible (below the water) deep troughs, the drivers as well as the vehicles were almost (but not quite) submerged.

When pieces flew off the vehicles, as they did several times, the staff had to wade around and feel for them with their bare feet. (Let the record show that they used no "grid" or any other logical method; they just milled about until someone finally stubbed his toe.)
Of course no such gala day would be complete without the beauties. These are the 2nd and 3rd runnersup for the highly sought-after title of "Miss Swamp Buggy." I think the mascot is an alligator, but I'm not certain.

Did I mention red-neck?!