2025 Pufferbilly Days

Calling all gandy dancers.  Here is your chance to gather your team of 3-5 people and pump your way to speed on the rails on a railroad handcar.  Your team will pump the handcar from Boone St to the finish line at Story St on the Boone & Scenic Valley RR's tracks.  Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. 

No entry fee

Saturday Sept. 20, 2025 12:30pm

10th and Story St. Boone, IA

Email questions to boonehandcarraces@gmail.com  

PARTICIPATION IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
 
YOU MUST ACCEPT ALL RISKS.  IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT ALL RISKS, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY STOP AND LEAVE THE ACTIVITY. THE HANDCAR RACE IS A PHYSICALLY STRENUOUS EVENT. INDIVIDUALS WITH BACK OR HEART CONDITIONS, OR THOSE ON MEDICATION MAY NOT PARTICIPATE. 
CONSIDER YOUR PHYSICAL ABILITY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE PARTICIPATING.

RAILROADING IS DANGEROUS.YOU COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.

RULES:
-Maximum of eighteen teams of 3-5 people. 
-1 Team (1 pusher and 2 to 4 pumpers). 
-All participants must be at least 18 years old (Must show ID). 
-1 race per team. 
-Must be healthy enough for very strenuous activity. 
-No drugs or alcohol. (Detection of either is an automatic disqualification). 
-All participants must face forward at all times. (Forward, in the direction of travel). 
-Pusher gets up to ten feet to push the handcar at the start of the race. 15 second penalty for each foot past ten feet that the pusher has hands on the handcar. 
-Both hands on the handle bar at all times. 
-Must wear a helmet with a chin strap such as a bike helmet or Type 2 hard helmet. 
-Must wear close toe shoes with a non-slippery tread. 
-No baggy/ loose clothes, jewelry, accessories, or anything that can get caught in or by handcar. 
-Hair must be tied up and tucked inside the shirt. 
-May not board a moving car. 
-Must be able to demonstrate operation of the handcar before racing. Pre-race instruction will be provided along with a familiarization trip to starting line.  Any person may stop a team from further operation of the handcar if it is determined they team is not able to safely operate the handcar. 
-Starter starts race with “ready, set, go” said out loud and over radio. 
-500’ race starting at Boone St finishing at Story St. 
-Fastest time wins.   
-Judge’s decisions are final.

-Each team member must sign a waiver and release form prior to participating.

-Rules may be updated or amended.  Changes will be announced at the race.

RELEASE & WAIVER FORM 
The undersigned, in consideration for the opportunity to participate in the Pufferbilly Days­ Handcar Race and/or Spike Driving Contest, do hereby waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages I may have now or hereafter have against the Pufferbilly Days™ Committee, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Boone, the Iowa Railroad Historical Society, Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum, Boone Handcar Races LLC or their respective agents, representatives, volunteers, employees, successors, or assigns, for any and all injuries which may be suffered by me in connection with my competition in said event. I acknowledge that this waiver shall be binding upon myself, my heirs, my executors, administrators and assigns. 
 
RAILROADING IS DANGEROUS.  YOU COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. 
 
YOU MUST ACCEPT ALL RISKS.  IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT ALL RISKS, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY STOP AND LEAVE THE ACTIVITY. THE HANDCAR RACE IS A PHYSICALLY STRENUOUS EVENT. INDIVIDUALS WITH BACK OR HEART CONDITIONS, OR THOSE ON MEDICATION MAY NOT PARTICIPATE. CONSIDER YOUR PHYSICAL ABILITY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE PARTICIPATING. 
 
 PARTICIPATION IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.