Photo by Alex Hernandez

The 2nd Annual Power Racing Series came to a dramatic conclusion at Maker Faire Detroit with i3 Detroit claiming the main series Championship and Milwaukee Makerspace taking the Constructors title.  Today’s one-hour endurance race featured a staggering victory by #29 Pit Rats from OmniCorp Detroit whom completed the race with a mind boggling single pit stop. The championship hopes for Milwaukee Makerspace were thrashed as Royce Pipkins #666 Grave Digger smoked to oblivion halfway into the 1-hour event. Amongst the carnage were 3 other Milwaukee teams, including a Tom’s Pink Barbie Trike, and the underfunded and troubled “Big Jake” . After a rocky start for i3, including a dramatic overtake by Milwaukee Makerspace’s manically driven Grave Digger, the team limped to the finish with just enough points to claim the Series Title.

For more in depth coverage, including post race analysis, and pit interviews check back tomorrow.

Photo by Alex Hernandez

After many months of preparation from hackerspaces around the Midwest, the Power Racing Series finished its first two events at Maker Faire Detroit. The pre-race qualification was faced with almost uniform mayhem, as teams met the track with mechanical mishaps and rampant electrical failures. At the darkest hour, within 20 minutes of the first round a total of 4 teams failed to complete a single lap. By the end of qualifying it appeared that few teams were ready. All was forgotten within the first Drag Race as two pre-season league favorites i3 Detroit and Milwaukee Makerspace stepped up with a closely fought final round. By the 2nd race, most teams had prepared themselves adequately and mechanical issues were rarely the trouble in the 15 laps battle royale on Maker Faire Speedway’s Road Course.  The ensuing aftermath of controversial caution laps and a few questionable on track repairs by i3 set the stage for a dramatic two car battle between Milwaukee Makerspace and i3 Detroit.

For more in depth coverage, including post race analysis, and pit interviews check back tomorrow.

Photo by Alex Hernandez

With the final touches made, the Maker Faire Speedway has come alive with other Makers from other Exhibits taking to the track for a few fun laps. Drivers from the Human Sized Mouse Trap and even MakerBot Industries founder Bre Pettis, took a few of the unmodified Powerwheels for a spin around the track.

More updates to as race results develop.