Should you’re available in the market for a brand new sporting spectacle that pits the most effective electrical car drivers in opposition to each other, then you definitely’re spoiled for alternative proper now. Method E is displaying simply what EVs can handle on the tight turns of a road circuit, Excessive E is placing on some fierce races for individuals who want their races off street and the brand new E1 sequence will put a highlight on electrical boats. However when you want your electrical car competitions on rails, then boy have I obtained an thrilling discover for you.

Earlier this month, the brightest and finest tram drivers in Europe headed to Romania for the annual tram driver Olympics, which is formally generally known as Tram-Em. The game, now in its twelfth yr, doesn’t put these educated professionals via Olympic disciplines like trendy pentathlon, sport climbing or handball. As an alternative, it exams their mettle behind the controls of a 25 ton tram.

The organizers of Tram-Em declare that it’s “one of many highlights of public life” for individuals in its host metropolis, which this yr is Oradea in Romania. And whereas which may sound like a lofty declare, it’s fairly the spectacle to behold.

Over a day’s value of competitors, 25 groups of tram operators from cities together with Barcelona, Dresden, Hanover, Kyiv, Oslo, Rotterdam and Warsaw battle to be topped finest in Europe. Every metropolis fields a group comprising a feminine tram driver, male tram driver and a group supervisor.

Over the course of two rounds, each drivers should participate in occasions like emergency stopping, aspect clearance exams, velocity estimations and even a spherical of tram bowling. After every self-discipline, the groups are awarded factors and the group that amasses essentially the most factors is topped the victor.

And, identical to the actual Olympics, Tram-Em even contains observe rounds, social occasions to deliver groups nearer collectively and an actual awards ceremony. It actually is kind of one thing.

Now, we’ve sadly missed the stay broadcast of this sporting spectacle for 2023, but it surely’s fortunately all on YouTube to your enjoyment. And if that’s not sufficient, there’s all the time subsequent yr’s competitors to start out getting hyped about.

To get the ball rolling, you may even try the Tram-Em retailer, which is crammed with tram driving merch. Personally, I’m a fan of this I ♥️ Tram tee, which I’m certain would turn into the envy of family and friends if I ordered one.