Seabiscuit- the extraordinary racing camel.

Well we crossed off a big one on our Qatar bucket list today- a camel race! It was fantastic and I believe many other sporting events could learn from and improve by following the camel track formula: robots and drive-by spectating.

the excitement builds as you get closer to the track.

but first a few snacks.

So it begins. With a huge parade of camels, which I have to say are some of the cutest hoofed mammals around (ungulates for my science nerd friends). The camels were great but the guys leading them were even better- some amazing looking characters- and so many ways to tie a kaffiya on your head!

this guy had his cell phone out- no doubt calling his bookie with inside info.

 

This guy was the coolest- walking around like he owned the place... which he probably did.

so your thinking but where are the jockeys in their sassy little shiny suits like in horseracing? Well here is where the robots come in. Years ago (not that many) small boys from India and Pakistan were the jockeys- seemed like no one was too bothered if they fell off which occasionally happened- although I can't imagine having a tighter grip- those guys bounce when they run. Luckily common sense (or lawsuits, international human rights pressure) got the upper hand and they designed these little robots that strap on the camel and when the owner hits a button on the remote starts whipping- which is great for the little boys but is no favorite of the camels.

And that leads to the other best part- the robot remotes don't have a long range so the owners (as well as the spectators) drive alongside the camels. It was awesome! The gate dropped for the camels and the madness began- the owners get the inside lane and then we all are swerving in and out trying to get a glimpse.

Luckily camels aren't that fast (30-40kph) so the driving wasn't too death defying and before we knew it we were at the finish- these were 3k races, they can go further, but even after a few kilometers camels work up a huge amount of sticky white drool that hangs off their bouncing lower lip- I have heard that it makes a great skin moisturizer- you should try it if you are ever lucky enough to get some on you.

I don't think they get many white women out watching- one guy came over and asked if he could take our these two's picture- probably for his facebook.

 

after they make the final turn it grabbed by the handlers and.... well whatever it is that camels usually do.

 So I fully expect the next mountain bike race back home to have a driveable track next to it. As far as getting robots...