Mos Espa Podrace 7171

The podrace sequence was the centerpiece of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Sure, the movie had the battle to reclaim Naboo and Qui-Gon Jinn's death at the hands of Darth Maul, but the emotional high point was Anakin Skywalker's desperate bid for freedom at the Boonta Eve Classic on Tatooine. The iconic pods from the racing sequence are the first thing that anyone thinks of when recalling the movie, and the Mos Espa Podrace 7171 set has captured the details of the event as only Lego can.

The Characters
The set includes seven characters and an additional three pit droids. That includes Sebulba, a one-piece minifigure, along with Gasgano, the spindly Xexto. Those two are unique to the Mos Espa Podrace 7171, but the kit also includes Padmé Naberrie, who is only available in this set and 7131 Anakin's Podrace, and Jar Jar Binks, Qui-Gon Jinn, and the Anakin Podracer mini figures who are all available in other sets. R2-D2 is common enough across so many sets that he is barely worth mentioning to serious collectors, but his presence rounds out the cast nicely.

The Constructs
Mos Espa Podrace 7171 has captured the action of the Boonta Eve Classic with three pods and two pit stations. The set includes Anakin's pod and Sebulba's Plug-F Mammoth, but the real showpiece is Gasgano's custom pod, the Ord Pedrovia. Some assembly is required for Gasgano himself (As the only Xexto Lego character, he ends up being made from a set of spindly connectors) along with the three pit droids. It would have been nice if the kit included a proper audience stand, but it's not much of an omission since the action occurs between the three racers.

The Action
Pod racing is an ugly, violent business, and each of the pods are outfitted accordingly. Gasgano's Ord Pedrovia has concealed saws that can be moved out to attack other racers, while Sebulba's Plug-F Mammoth is bristling with traps and weapons to destroy his opponents, including the flamethrower he used to toast Clegg Holdfast in the movie. Anakin's pod has flaps that move for increased agility, which he needs to dodge attacks from the two other contenders.

The Mos Espa Podrace 7171 set was released by Lego as part of the Episode I: The Phantom Menace LEGO Sets in 1999. It contains 984 pieces and originally retailed for US$89.99. It doesn't include a track, but half the fun is laying out one yourself using obstacles from around the house.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace LEGO Sets

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