Tuk-tuk race crowns Dick and Doof in Großharras

Twenty teams competed in a tuk-tuk cup in Großharras in the Mistelbach district on Saturday, with the team dressed as “Dick and Doof” winning the race and the Smurfs taking the costume prize, ORF reported.

The motorised three-wheelers have become part of the local scene in Großharras. For the third year, they were turned into racing vehicles at the event organised by the volunteer fire brigade.

The teams faced each other in a knockout competition on an obstacle course that tested speed and coordination. Strong winds made the contest a balancing act for one member of each team.

The challenges included standing on the vehicle’s loading platform, balancing tennis balls on wooden spoons and throwing them accurately into firefighters’ helmets. Creativity also played an important role, with teams competing in elaborate costumes.

Theresa Zokoll from Vienna took part dressed as a cloud. She said her large cotton cloud hat restricted her view, but sitting down during the second run made the task easier.

Gerald Hofmeyer, commander of the Großharras volunteer fire brigade, said many people in the village had bought tuk-tuks four years ago. The idea for a new event at the fire brigade’s annual Heuriger gathering followed from that trend, he said.

Hannes Wild and Christopher Bigl competed as “Dick and Doof”, the German names for Laurel and Hardy. They said their challenge was to appear clumsy while still driving skilfully enough to win.

Sabrina Wild and Nicole Bigl entered as the “Reh-bellinnen”, a pun combining the German word for deer with “rebels”. They said the costume ranking mattered more to them than their time and that they put in their best effort every year.

Roman Klement, who dressed as Smurfette, said it took an hour and a half to apply his blue makeup. His daughter motivates him to take part each year, he said, and the event had become a tradition in Großharras.

The Smurfs won the costume competition, while “Dick and Doof” finished first in the race.