55 Years of Porcupine Racing
Can you remember a time when Council didn’t race porcupines on the 4th of July? To younger folks and newcomers it seems like the races have always just happened. They have always been there. Something as reliable as fireworks at sunset on the 4th.
The very first Porcupine Race in Council was held 55 years ago in 1971 and there were 14 entries according to the Adams County Leader from July 15, 1971.
The Idaho Statesman, dated July 1, 1973, featured pictures of racers Vern Ludwig and Kip Kamerdula as well as Sam Lakey and Connie Cooper. Vern and Kip would have been about 14 at the time of their first race.
Races in the early days didn’t have as many rules and structure as we have now. Vern and Kip said there were no course boundaries and no heats. It was common for those attending the races to come home with an unexpected piercing or two thanks to an errant (or angry?) porcupine. They described it as a free-for-all.
According to them, the best part of the event wasn’t the races at all. It was going out to look for them the night before. They would load up a truck with some girls and head to the mountains and fields with a trusty spotlight and come home with memories and a (hopefully) speedy steed to enter in the next day’s race.
After the races the porcupines are supposed to be released where they are caught. But it seems the illicit tradition of releasing them just outside of town, which is quick and easy - and against the rules, was started about when the races were first organized. They mentioned that they remember that happening in the ‘70s when they were younger.
One memory that Kip and Vern shared involved a de-scented pet skunk and unsuspecting spectators. Apparently there was more mayhem than usual when the skunk was released from under the trash can at the beginning of the race.
Connie Cooper was also featured in the Idaho Statesman issue from July 1, 1973. Her teammate was Sam Lakey and their porcupine, Road Runner, brought them local fame and $150 when it crossed the line first that year.
