Description:

Ringwood Town Councils ~ “British Pedal Car Grand Prix” ~ Sunday 13th July 2008 Celebrates its 21st Anniversary.
Crowds of 10,000 plus experience the absolute dog eat dog competitive racing style of the top racing teams such as the Spirit of Verwood (Gazelle cycling team), Royce Company team, Gone Biking Mad (a local bike shop) and R.H.H.Franks including 2006 winners Patterson's Bangers. “Fun Riders” will hear a quick blast in their ear “ON THE RIGHT” as a top teams comes screaming past, being themselves hotly pursued by their immediate fellow competitors.
Top engineering, modern technology, team practice and discipline are ever so evident as the teams prepare for the race. Their fingers are firmly crossed as the race day director announces the grid positions (drawn in the style of a completely random lottery). The keen eared by-stander will hear these teams hatching their plans for gaining the most places on the first lap so that they are quickly on the heals of their rivals. Pit stop change overs are slicker than those of formula one racing. With only a 20 second lead on the final lap, sights are firmly set on the chequered flag as the crowds scream out in support and the race commentator is seen climbing out of his commentary box in excitement. The Champagne podium celebrations will take place in the open air top deck of the Magdna Mazda’s Corporate hospitality suite where the proud winners will be presented the winners Trophy with the added bonus for the male participants having their photographs taken with the “pit babes”.
Both BBC Television and Satellite TV have filmed these “wacky races” with Radio and Media supporting the coverage of this biennially spectacle which now attract entrants from “the BBC”, “Wave 105.2FM” and “The Bournemouth Echo” and many more.
Teams are made from up to four drivers per car and there are classes for juniors (under 16’s), ladies and seniors. The 1 kilometre circuit is flat out for most of the way with just a few corners of note, with overtaking at three abreast in the fastest sections. The local opposition is absolutely first class. Teams such as Spirit of Verwood, Royce and RH Franks are very hard to beat. The judging of the Concours D' Elegance is always held on the Saturday so that members of the public can come along and get a sneak preview of the competing cars.
Race Day; The pedal cars assemble in the Furlong Centre from 10.00am, and are displayed there for the morning, prior to the parade laps from 1.30pm, with the race starting at 2.00pm. Spectators are able to walk around the whole course to watch the race from various different vantage points. The whole emphasis of the event is to have FUN! The pedal cars vary greatly in design with some very light and aerodynamic competitive cars, whilst others are built to amuse the crowds. The teams have their own pits and are allowed to change riders at the pit stops as many times as they like, which makes pit lane viewing very interesting for the spectators!
The chequered flag is waved at the winning car at 4.00pm and the champagne spraying trophy presentations are held on the podium rostrum at 4.15pm.
The event also raises sponsorship money that is then donated to selected
charities: Oakhaven Hospice, providing specialist palliative care and support to those facing life-limiting illness and their loved ones in both a home and hospice setting ~ Tenovus Cancer Charity, a charitable organisation committed to the control of cancer through: quality research, prevention/education, counselling and patient care ~ The British Liver Trust & The Ringwood Young Firefighters Association:
More details about pedal car racing can be found at www.BritishPedalCarGP.co.uk or by contacting Cliff Polton on 01425 620062.