Pedal car grand prix ends festival in style

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Friday 16th Jul 2004.

GRAND PRIX racing returned to Ringwood on Sunday as thousands of spectators lined the streets to watch the thrills and spills of pedal power.

While the Formula One aces fought for first position at Silverstone, 26 teams of frenzied pedallers rumbled over High Street cobbles, competing for the coveted title of British pedal car grand prix champion, in the race that concluded Ringwood's festival week.

The Silverstone circuit might have been faster, but it was no less exciting in Ringwood, as this year's two-hour race saw more action than ever before - including a semi-streaker's mad dash along the High Street.

As the drivers lined up for the start, Bill Browne, publisher of the official event sponsors Salisbury Newspapers, waved the flag to start them off.

Cars were soon tussling for the lead, with the BBC South's Inside Out team, headed by Chris Packham, in a car created by Andrew Lock from Poulner, figuring strongly.

Competitors are escorted to the line. DA5977P06A BBC camera crew was on hand to film the event for the new series of Inside Out, to be broadcast in September.

Competitiors worked up a sweat as pedal car wheels buckled, chains snapped and gears ground, and Jim Stride, of Ringwood Round Table, eventually ended his team's endurance test on just three wheels - all under the watchful eye of race commentator Mike Lingham Wilgoss.

About three-quarters of the way through the race, the excitement obviously got too much for one man, who, wearing just a very small pair of shorts, suddenly jumped over the barrier and ran, waving his arms madly, up the High Street, before disappearing again.

Finally, it was four-time New Milton entrants and defending champions KC Racing - last year's winners as RHH Franks - who took the title, after a fast and furious 70 laps.

School Runnings took the Best Under-16s Pedallers Team award. DA5977P16A team of northern boys from Rugby, pedalling as Great Central Racing and headed by Chris Featherstone, came in second, after achieving 69 laps.

The Spirit of Verwood, with Adrian Wareham at the helm, crossed the line third against all odds, after completing 67 laps - overcoming three punctures and two buckled tyres.

But it was the under-16 all-girl team School Runnings that scored the most cheers, as they took the Best Under-16s Pedallers Team award and second place in the Concours D'Elegance, for the most beautiful cart.

In first place in the Concours was under-16 team Whizz Pigs, with their stunning bright-pink cart.

It was left to Roger and the Rat Pack, sponsored by Pam Purred Pets, to bring up the rear and finish last of all the competitors.

Event organiser Cliff Polton said: "This year has been the most exciting race I have ever experienced.

Racers take to the track. DA5977P11"It has been great fun and the competition has been superb."

Mayor of Ringwood Michael Thierry enjoyed meeting the crowds and said the town was a "natural theatre" for such an event.

"I congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to create such an exciting event," he said.

"It is a miracle to me how it all comes together, with the hay bales, the barriers and, of course, the entrants and the crowds.

"The pedal car race is always an exciting spectacle."

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