natalie behring

Photographer

Figure 8 Racing in Idaho

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Location: Idaho/ Wyoming

Nationality: USA

Biography: I became a photographer by lucky accident in China in 1996. I walked in to the Reuters Beijing Bureau asking if they might want to buy a photo, and walked out with a job. The first major story I covered was the Hong Kong Handover. Since then this... MORE

Scenes for Figure 8 racing at t...aho August 12, 2023. Driggs USA

Scenes for Figure 8 racing at the Teton County Fair in Driggs Idaho August 12, 2023. Driggs USA

Scenes rom the Figure 8 Derby a... Driggs August 7, 2021. Driggs

Scenes rom the Figure 8 Derby at the Teton County Fair in Driggs August 7, 2021. Driggs

Spectators watch Figure 8 races...ash award and a trophy. Driggs

Spectators watch Figure 8 races as the sun sets on the nearby Grand Teton Mountain at the Teton County Fair in Driggs August 7, 2021. Cars race on a course in the shape of a figure 8, often crashing in to one another in demolition derby fashion. Any small front wheel drive vehicle is eligible to participate and the winner receives a cash award and a trophy. Driggs

A driver gestures after taking ... drivers are all women. Driggs

A driver gestures after taking part in a "Powder Puff" a Figure 8 race at the Teton County Fair in Driggs August 7, 2021. Cars race on a course in the shape of a figure 8, often crashing in to one another in demolition derby fashion. Any small front wheel drive vehicle is eligible to participate and the winner receives a cash award and a trophy. The term "Powder Puff" applies to a race in which the drivers are all women. Driggs

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Thumbnail of Scenes for Figure 8 racing at th_daho August 12, 2023. Driggs USA

Thumbnail of Scenes rom the Figure 8 Derby at_n Driggs August 7, 2021. Driggs

Thumbnail of Spectators watch Figure 8 races _cash award and a trophy. Driggs

Thumbnail of A driver gestures after taking p_e drivers are all women. Driggs

Public Story

Figure 8 Racing in Idaho

Updated Aug 2023

Location Driggs, Idaho

Topics Documentary, Essays, Event, Feature, Journalism, Photography, Travel

Summary

Scenes from the "Figure 8 " racing, the grand finale of the Teton County Fair in Driggs, Idaho.

The grand finale of the Teton County fair is the "Figure 8 Racing." The track is shaped in an 8 shape, which creates opportunities for collisions. Racers come from all over south east Idaho to participate and use old cars, in late or last stages of decrepitude. Many of the cars run on flat ties and steam and/or smoke can be seen (and smelled) wafting out from under the hoods, and other orifices.

The car that survive several heats and completes the most laps receives a cash prize.