The Middle Ages strike at the Giant Snail Races

Second Life® is crammed with eccentric phenomena and oddities, since so many people use the virtual platform to live out their dreams and fantasies, and while most of these projects only last a couple of months - if that long - few have had the determination and stick-to-it-iveness of one such RacerX Gullwing. His famous Giant Snail Races have been going strong for nearly three and a half years.



And you, too, can be a snail and take part in the races (but be sure to show up early so you can grab your spot: see below for hours).

RacerX has completed what is quite possibly the best race track for these giant molluscs, ever: a medieval theme. "It's probably the most fun to watch so far," he told me, and I agree.

Huge fire balls blow open the starting gate...



The snails have to wiggle and squirm and shimmy their way up a steep ramp... with more fireballs being hurled in their path and at them. Physics on these items are set at 5 times the normal gravity, so they mean real trouble for the racers.



Even worse, two taunters stand at the top, with the ability to hurl sheep and peasants and cows and more fireballs at the racers as they inch their way up the ramp.



Below, RacerX demonstrates the taunters' gesture: "neenerneener!"



All interested participants: There are beginner training classes on Saturdays at 9:30am SLT.
Spectators: The races start at 11:00am SLT every Saturday. They usually go for about an hour and 15 minutes.

Teleport directly from here, and you can always refer to the link and a slurl on the lower right hand column of this blog.

See also:
* The history of the Giant Snail Races