last a few seconds due to the length of the track. Winners receive various prizes such as gift cards, training equipment and hamster treats. MTV In May 2006 MTV began promotion of "HamTrak '06," a world tour of professional hamster racers featuring hamster teams sponsored by The Sun, XFM, Pimp My Ride and others. The first HamTrak race, held on May 19, 2006 at the Hammywood Hills Rodent Raceway, was won by the New Media Age sponsored "Team Hot Rodent," powered by the eight-month-old female Syrian hamster Michelle Schuhamster. It was her 24th career win. References External links Betting in Britain has gone to the .. hamsters - An Associated Press story reported on Canadian Television news. MTV Brings Racing Hamsters To Screens - As reported on Digital Spy, 12 May 2006. A CNN report from 1998 about hamster racing at a Johannesburg pet show. Punters Turn to Hamster Racing - News report in Dispatch Online, 10 March 2001. Petco Corporate Web site - Information on the Hamster Ball Derby Hamster Derby Raises Money for Humane Society - The (Maryland) Gazette Online, 3 June 2009. Animal racing Animals in sport Hamsters