BERLIN– Top officials and business owners are preparing to stake their reputations on one of the most absurd – and entertaining – town traditions.
Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence, Burley Oak Brewing Company Owner Bryan Brushmiller and Uptown Antiques Owner Bill Outten will all race vehicles in the 25th annual Bathtub Races on July 18.
Lawrence, a first-time racer, predicted a victory.
“It’s going to win,” he said.
The “tub” will represent the town of Berlin. Lawrence said the design will be patriotic and keeping with the “Coolest Small Town” theme.
“I don’t want to give too many details – I want it to be a surprise,” he said. “But it will be fast and it will look very patriotic.”
Lawrence will pilot the vehicle and Sr. Accountant Rondell Wise will push.
“The reason I’m driving it is because I’m probably the smallest town employee weight wise and size wise,” he said. “And the guy that’s pushing it is probably 6’7” – he’s the biggest and I’m the smallest. He used to play football and he’s pretty fast.
“I told Rondell if we’re going to do this let’s win the thing,” Lawrence continued. “We’re in it to win it.”
Brushmiller will enter his running water barrel, a vehicle that makes use of one of the brewery’s beer casks.
“We do a racer every year,” he said. “It actually has running water in it.”
Brewer Justin Sherman is set to drive the vehicle, while Brushmiller pushes. Unlike Lawrence, Brushmiller stopped short of predicting outright victory.
“We definitely always finish in last place,” he said. “When we built the barrel we didn’t realize that weight was an issue, and we have running water in it and it’s a whole wooden barrel and a steel go cart. We didn’t really build it to win – but we look good losing at least.
“It’s so much fun,” Brushmiller continued. “You have the streets lined with people that are not only just locals, but tourists, and you’re doing this event that’s just silly and people are into it. On top of that you have this energy in town and people are going to the little stores in town and they’re coming to the brewery and they’re eating in the restaurants – it’s great exposure for Berlin, and I predict that this year is probably going to be the biggest ever. It’s America’s coolest small town doing a bathtub race – that’s pretty amazing.”
Outten is a veteran of the contest, having participated every year for the last quarter-century.
“There’s been some really good years,” he said. “I know I’ve won it three or four times, but I haven’t raced in three or four years. But this year we’re going to pull it out of the mothballs and go crazy.”
Outten’s vehicle is a galvanized washtub sitting on an A-frame with one center wheel and two rear wheels.
“It carries the load quite evenly and the wheels spin quite fast,” he said. “Dang, I’m going to win. That’s my expectation.”
A parade of the racers begins at 6 p.m. The race begins at 6:15 p.m.
Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence, Burley Oak Brewing Company Owner Bryan Brushmiller and Uptown Antiques Owner Bill Outten will all race vehicles in the 25th annual Bathtub Races on July 18.
Lawrence, a first-time racer, predicted a victory.
“It’s going to win,” he said.
The “tub” will represent the town of Berlin. Lawrence said the design will be patriotic and keeping with the “Coolest Small Town” theme.
“I don’t want to give too many details – I want it to be a surprise,” he said. “But it will be fast and it will look very patriotic.”
Lawrence will pilot the vehicle and Sr. Accountant Rondell Wise will push.
“The reason I’m driving it is because I’m probably the smallest town employee weight wise and size wise,” he said. “And the guy that’s pushing it is probably 6’7” – he’s the biggest and I’m the smallest. He used to play football and he’s pretty fast.
“I told Rondell if we’re going to do this let’s win the thing,” Lawrence continued. “We’re in it to win it.”
Brushmiller will enter his running water barrel, a vehicle that makes use of one of the brewery’s beer casks.
“We do a racer every year,” he said. “It actually has running water in it.”
Brewer Justin Sherman is set to drive the vehicle, while Brushmiller pushes. Unlike Lawrence, Brushmiller stopped short of predicting outright victory.
“We definitely always finish in last place,” he said. “When we built the barrel we didn’t realize that weight was an issue, and we have running water in it and it’s a whole wooden barrel and a steel go cart. We didn’t really build it to win – but we look good losing at least.
“It’s so much fun,” Brushmiller continued. “You have the streets lined with people that are not only just locals, but tourists, and you’re doing this event that’s just silly and people are into it. On top of that you have this energy in town and people are going to the little stores in town and they’re coming to the brewery and they’re eating in the restaurants – it’s great exposure for Berlin, and I predict that this year is probably going to be the biggest ever. It’s America’s coolest small town doing a bathtub race – that’s pretty amazing.”
Outten is a veteran of the contest, having participated every year for the last quarter-century.
“There’s been some really good years,” he said. “I know I’ve won it three or four times, but I haven’t raced in three or four years. But this year we’re going to pull it out of the mothballs and go crazy.”
Outten’s vehicle is a galvanized washtub sitting on an A-frame with one center wheel and two rear wheels.
“It carries the load quite evenly and the wheels spin quite fast,” he said. “Dang, I’m going to win. That’s my expectation.”
A parade of the racers begins at 6 p.m. The race begins at 6:15 p.m.