There’s nothing like leaving the competition in the sawdust.
More than a dozen competitors tried to dust their opponents Saturday for the first round of belt sander races, a highlight of this weekend’s fifth annual Building and Remodeling Expo at Sequim High School.
The races, set up as a round-robin tournament, pitted the fastest, most powerful and downright mean machines, all converted from conventional belt-sanding hardware.
The North Peninsula Building Association sponsors the event, with minor prizes awarded to the winners.
But bragging rights often mean more than gift certificates, particularly among a group of loyal racers from Brinnon which has made belt sander racing the neighborhood pastime.
Brinnon resident Mike Hyde, owner of the winning sander, “Miss Beltwiser,” said the sport was very popular in his area.
“Other than the Brinnon Shrimp Fest, we haven’t got a lot else to do down there,” he said.
A note for you sanding aficionados: The annual Shrimp Fest, which takes place in May, also features belt sander racing.