Kicker: Parking under pressure

Editor's note: The following text is a transcript of a podcast story. To listen to the story, click on the arrow beneath the headline above.

NICK EICHER, HOST: City dwellers have a rite of passage called “parallel parking.” In Portland, Oregon, it’s a spectator sport!

MAN: The way this works is when you’re ready, put your car in reverse, listen for the whistle. That’s your begin.

Dozens lined up to squeeze into the teensiest of curb spaces.

No backup cameras allowed, no curb kisses, either, and for sure no bumping the pool-noodle bumpers.

Just nerves, precision, and an audience on edge:

MAN: Ooooh, that’s a tight…(car noises, crowd sounds)

Cars were scored on time, length, style, and how tightly they hugged the curb.

Short cars? Fewer points. Showmanship? A bonus for you.

The grand prize? A spray-painted toy Subaru, a leftover gift card, but (the biggest deal is the bragging rights) … (infinite Portland street cred).

It’s The World and Everything in It.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.