Big Wheels race (and crash!) in West Dundee

About 100 people took part - and hundreds more signed on as spectators - at the annual Emmett's Tavern Big Wheel Race Saturday at Grafelman Park in West Dundee.

Sara Hutchison and her teammates, Tania Sullivan and Ali Furlong, all from Barrington, decided that since this was their first big wheel event, their strategy was to go fast, use no brakes and head straight down the road. Furlong's big crash indicated that the strategy can be difficult to execute successfully.

Some participants customized their vehicles with items such as a parachute, police lights and sirens and even a trail of smoke. The Big Wheels zoomed down the 45 degree hill on Washington Street in the competition.

Participants competed in three categories: Stock, with no modifications; modified, which must loosely resemble the original child's toy; and outlaw, which can include pneumatic tires, metal wheels/spokes, metal frame, free spin, hand brakes. There also was a prize for best costume.