Belt Sanders
Dive Bar Events & Adventures
Traveling around the United States we have been able to experience some pretty cool events. Art festivals, Music Festivals, BBQ competitions, horse races, Chicken Sh*t Bingo, but we recently came upon an event that we had not yet heard of…….Belt Sander Racing.
Yes, the racing of juiced up belt sanders and let me tell you, it brings in a crowd.
This particular event takes place at The Gaff in Port Aransas, TX on the second and fourth Saturday of every month.
Spectators pack the backyard area of The Gaff to watch the races take place on the two lane permanent racetrack. For safety there is a buffer zone between the track and the spectators because, yes, sometimes the sanders go rogue. Long extension cords are duct taped at the connection point to help ensure the belt sanders do not come unplugged as they are hurling down the track.
The belt sanders are highly personalized by their owners and include names such as One Eyed Jack, That Darn Thing, Shark Attack, Fireball Express, Boomer and Boss Hog. On this particular Saturday Boomer took 1st place and Fireball Express took 2nd.
Oh, and don’t think the Belt Sander Races is where the fun ends at The Gaff. Oh no, they also have Minnow Races every Monday evening!
Honestly, if you get to Port Aransas on the Texas Gulf Coast I highly recommend swinging by The Gaff. The staff is amazing, the pizza is super cheesy and the best in town and the vibe is everything you would want in a gulf coast dive bar. Definitely our favorite during our month-long stay in Port A.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @we.go.now for more day-to-day adventures.
Thanks for reading!
Jen, Greg and Poppy
Coming out of the gate
The Belt Sander Competitors
The finish line
Spectators
Interior of The Gaff
Minnow Racing