Yellowknife (Sep 17/03) - The parking lot of J J Hobbies was the scene of one of the most confused street races in Yellowknife history Saturday.

Kathleen Gordon urges her hamster-powered racer forward. - Andrew Raven/NNSL photo

Most of the drivers didn't have the foggiest idea where they were. Some stopped in the middle of the race just to smell the air. Others went to the bathroom without even stepping out of their cars.

But, in their defence, the drivers were hamsters after all.

They were participating in the second annual Hamster Race, put on by J J Hobbies.

"We decided to do this as a promotional event," said Albert Eggenberger, part owner of the hobby store.

"And it's been a lot of fun."

A hamster race is actually quite an interesting spectacle. The furballs are placed into a an oversized, plastic wheel which is then inserted into a the frame of a small plastic car.

Hamsters propel the car forward by running on the wheel.

Actually, they spend very little time going forward. Most stop halfway down the track to look around and clean themselves. Some reverse course and head back to the start line despite the pleas of their young owners.

"No Rocket, the other way. The other way!" yelled one young boy.

Rules allowed the kids to turn their wayward hamsters around, but that was no guarantee the little fuzzballs wouldn't change direction again.

"There really isn't much you can do," said Dot Hodgins, whose son Oliver raced him hamster.

"Just stick them in (the car) and hope they run forward."

"My hamster just refused to run forward said Kathleen Gordon. "I was calling him, but he just wouldn't move."

If the kids learned anything from the afternoon of racing, it's that hamsters weren't bred for speed. "He didn't go that fast," said Kathleen. "But I still love him."