Ever since drunken sports fans discovered the wonders of television, there have been sports bars.
One of the more interesting concoctions that has come from the collision of drinking and sports may be Syracuse University's mascot, a gigantic orange - in a state where oranges cannot grow. Creators must have been partially intoxicated when they came up with that idea.
Another invention combines racing fans' need for speed with their love of drinking: Barstool racing.
Barstool racing is a form of go-karting that features an odd looking barstool that sticks out where the driver sits.
The barstools are placed atop full functional go-karts and raced recreationally, sanctioned by NOBRA. Yes, NOBRA. NOBRA stands for National Organized Barstool Racing Association. Another sanctioning body is A-BRA, the American Barstool Racing Association.
There are also several variations of barstools, including gas, electric and even jet.
A group in Akron, Ohio created the world's only jet powered barstool racer. The Akron Turbine Group, whose main profit comes from the sale of jet dryers to race tracks, used one of their jet engines to build the jet barstool.
The jet barstool is powered by a modified JFS100-13A gas turbine engine and set a top speed of over 40 mph. While this may not seem like a lot, remember, this is a barstool.
If you would like to see the jet powered bar stool in action, you can contact the Akron Turbine Group from their web page, turbinegroup.com.
If you want to see barstool racers in action, head to Mount Meridian, Ind. (near Greencastle) on August 13 for Viper Days. Big Chicken Barstools will be bringing their barstools all the way from Arizona to display them and spread the word of their sport.
Big Chicken Barstools builds and sells barstool racers, and sells them through their Web site and various national tour stops.
If you wish to build your own barstool racer rather than purchase one, barstoolracing.net offers directions and equipment required to assist in the construction.
Gentlemen, start your drinking!
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