Drag racers ready to hit Bondi

The sands of Bondi Beach will sparkle on Friday, March 2 as drag queens and kings in glomesh, sequins and all manner of flammable fabrics descend on the iconic beachfront to take part in the Mardi Gras Drag Races.

Registrations for those wanting to frock up and compete are free and still open on the Mardi Gras website, but if you don’t fancy competing, there’s still plenty to get involved with on the day.

Led by host Vanessa Wagner (pictured), the festivities will kick off at 5pm with a welcome and an explanation of the games on offer. Different rounds include ‘Competitive Feminine Posing’ and ‘Beached Volleyball’. Beware though — while the winning team doesn’t receive a prize, losers will receive uninhibited ridicule from Wagner.

The ‘Three-Heeled/ Tripod Race’ will see drag queens and kings attempt to dash across the beach arena while tethered at the ankles, while in ‘Soft Sandcastle Building’ competitors will attempt to create a palace with nothing more than two minutes, dry sand, a couple of seashells and the clothing off their own backs.

The popular ‘Handbag Discus’ will see teams hurl sand-filled handbags as far as they can down the beach, and the ‘Dainty Dune Dash’ will challenge even the fiercest competitor as kings and queens dash across the sand.

Judging the proceedings will be three of Sydney’s most popular drag performers: Harbour ’12 CoolChange poster star Rocco D’Amore, renowned creative powerhouse Dallas Dellaforce and DIVA-winning Queen of Hearts 2012, Joyce Maygne.

Attendance on the day is free, although a donation is appreciated and helps to support Sydney Mardi Gras 2012.

INFO: www.mardigras.org.au/dragraces