Believe it or Not: Toilet Racing is "Serious Business" in Some Countries

This is quirky as it gets. When you gotta go, you gotta go--so you might as well do it fast the way these toilet races want you to do it.

Toilet racing is not popular here in the Philippines, but with the Filipino's propensity for inventive ingenuity, PLUS the masses' fondness for toilet humor, then it's probably something that many would warm up to in time.

What's Toilet racing?

Toilet racing is just that--toilet racing. You drive around on a vehicle with a toilet for a seat, and anyone with some "potty humor" would get to have fun doing it.

Popular in some parts of the U.S. and the U.K., it's not just drivers who are "flushed" with excitement when driving these man-made contraptions. In fact, many like to build these types of race cars as well. For instance, ten-year old Matthew Baker did just that, and with the help of his father, built a race car equipped with two toilet tanks. His father fondly calls it their V-twin engine, and was used in a toilet race in Hampdenfest, Baltimore.

What's the rules of the game?

The rules are not that strict--and pretty much basic. Oftentimes, toilet vehicles with no engines require racers to have three members in a team--one to be sitting on the toilet at all times, and the others pushing the vehicle forward.

However, the ones with engines only require one driver to steer it at all times.

Meet the Latrine Masters

Just because they look funny doesn't mean they shouldn't be taken seriously. In fact, there are some "latrine masters" out there who already broke world records and spent nearly half a million pesos (P354,000 to be exact) to create that perfect "bog" vehicle.

Yes, we call them the latrine masters. And there are two individuals that come to mind who lead the royal "throne".

Edd China, who has been a guest for Top Gear and a Guinness World Record Holder for the "Fastest Toilet in 2011", is one person. His vehicle doesn't use an active toilet, although he did speed his way to 42 mph for a world record.

Another serious contender is Paul Sender, who has spent GBP5,000 (over PHP300,000) to create a a toilet vehicle that can speed up to 70 mph (112 kph). Using a Boeing turbine engine, the "dunny" used here is actually working, so no need to find the nearest restroom at a gas station when you need to perform that "deed." Still, we have no idea what happens after that, so your guess is as good as ours.