Turtle power pushes racers

The audience cheered in anticipation as Sammy and Clyde battled to place first in the grand championships . . . of turtle racing that is.

As part of Children's Day at Kaleidoscope 2000, celebrated Saturday at Cal State Long Beach, the American Turtle Racing Association furnished the turtles for the race. This West Los Angeles-based organization provides turtles for clubs, birthday parties and fairs, said Joe Gresko, announcer for the races.

The qualifying race started out slow, with no movement at all. Then, all of a sudden, Sammy made his big move. He began tentatively, but then picked up speed as he came closer to the finish line. Then he stopped.

He turned around and headed back to home base and stopped next to Clyde, who had yet to move a muscle.

Then as a team, Sammy and Clyde began walking together toward the outer ring of the arena, with Sammy's nose just slightly ahead of his partner.

Sammy was almost to the finish line, but made a wrong turn into Clyde's path. The audience booed as Sammy began walking away from his glory again.

Sammy, feeling the shame  from  the audience, headed back the right way. As the crowd cheered, Sammy crossed the finish line bringing him one step closer to the grand prize trophy.

"I had faith in my turtle that he would bring me to the championships," said Eric Calima, a senior management major as he proudly displayed his blue ribbon.