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31 Teams From 15 States Compete at the Inaugural Red Bull Dragsterday

DETROIT, Sept. 12 -- A group of kinetic enthusiasts out of Boulder, Colo., set a Red Bull Dragsterday record of 29 miles per hour as they out-peddled 31 other teams from across the nation. Cyclepathz Special powered their way to victory, but instead of packing their bags to take part in the ultimate drag racing experience at Frank Hawley's NHRA Drag Racing School in Pomona, Calif., they opted for the first-prize cash equivalent of $7,500, which they plan to donate to the Red Cross' hurricane relief fund.

"It was an awesome, amazing event," said Cyclepathz Special team member, Al Brody. "We do a lot of cycling, so we have some serious calves, but this is the first time we've used them at a drag race. I hope Dragsterday keeps going for a long time. We will definitely be back."

Red Bull Dragsterday is an event that challenges amateur drivers and their pit crews to design, construct, and race completely human-powered "dragsters" with an emphasis on style and showmanship.

A BATTLE OF BRAIN OR BRAWN?

Between a Winnebago, the pope, (well, not THE Pope), and an asphalt-eating Zamboni, the single-elimination, bracketed competition put the judges' objectivity to the test as their scores for dragster creativity were combined with race times. Emerging from the fray to claim second place was Flyin' Cow Pie, fresh off the pasture in Peoria, Ariz. The ingenious design consisted of ejecting a single-seater vehicle from inside the cow. Flyin' Cow Pie gets to choose from a VIP trip to the Indianapolis 500 with Red Bull Cheever Racing or the cash equivalent of $3,000.

Third place went to the contingent from Kentucky, Ride For Your Lives. The modern-day chariot was pushed by a fabricated bull and powered by a group of co-workers who comprise Louisville-based CityScoot, a designated driver service. A challenging weekend at the Chicago Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Ill., or cash equivalent of $1,500 awaits them.

This was Red Bull Dragsterday's inaugural race, but it will certainly not go quietly into the night. Teams have already begun designing new vehicles for the next edition.