Anyone who grew up playing a certain cart-racing video game has probably dreamed of getting behind the wheel, taking in the scenic, mushroomed view, and throwing a banana peel to stall the competition. Now’s their chance, minus any friendly sabotage.
Rowdy Cart Race will soon be back at California State University, Bakersfield, giving students and the community alike the chance to race their own human-powered, three-wheeled vehicle through an obstacle course not unlike those in your favorite video game.
This year’s race is on May 2, part of Rowdy Con 2020, which promises to be a day of free fun for all. As any racer knows, though, now is the time to get creative and work on building their dream carts.
“Rowdy Cart Race is a blast every year, whether you’re competing yourself or just watching the fun,” said Andrea Medina, director of Grants and Outreach for CSUB’s School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering. “This is truly a community event – everyone is welcome to get involved.”
Many of the participating teams will be CSUB students from the Introduction to Engineering freshman class. They will be building carts from bicycle parts donated by the Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Community participants are also encouraged to use recycled materials for their carts.
“It’s really exciting to see what people come up with every year,” Medina said. “It makes for a great display of ingenuity, and these bikes get a second life.”
Carts must have three wheels, be exclusively human-powered and be able to seat two people and maneuver over concrete, asphalt, grass and gravel. Participants will be put to the test as they encounter obstacles like making tight turns, recovering flags in a field, and traversing a series of trapezoidal speed bumps.
Rowdy Cart Race, which is sponsored by Edison International, kicks off Rowdy Con at 10 a.m. and goes until 1 p.m. Other activities will take place throughout the day, wrapping up with a screening of “Sonic the Hedgehog” and a cosplay ball at 8 p.m. Among the day’s fun at Rowdy Con will be “Harry Potter”-inspired Quidditch, a vendor and artist expo, gaming areas, a concert and more.
Both Rowdy Con and the Rowdy Cart Race are free for participants and spectators. Anyone interested in competing in the race needs to register by April 24 at csub.edu/rowdycartrace, where they can also find more information on rules. For the full Rowdy Con schedule, please visit rowdycon.com.
© 2026 California State University, Bakersfield
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