British Pedal Car Grand Prix
Last Sunday didn't only see the World Cup Final and the British F1 Grand Prix but also, and far more importantly, the 2010 British Pedal Car Grand Prix. The event takes place every two years in the New Forest market town of Ringwood. This year saw a record number of entries (54 teams) and a record number of spectators around the town, possibly as many as 10,000 people descended on a town that only has a population of 14-15,000.
The course is over 1.4 km, starts in the market place, there has been a market in Ringwood since Henry the something or other granted it's charter back in 1226, and winds it's way through the High Street, out onto the Christchurch-Salisbury road and then returns via what Le Tour organisers would call sinuous roads to the market place. The winners are the team/car that completes the most laps during the two hours from 2-4 p.m.
The race takes place on the final day of the three day Ringwood Festival and whilst the emphasis is on fun there is a serious side which is the raising of money for various charities, the three main beneficiaries this year being Tenovus (cancer charity), Cash For Kids and Help For Heroes. Like a lot of things in life that start out as a useful way of passing the time: football, marriage, politics - this event has got a little more serious over the years. The best teams no longer look as if they have just pitched up having spent the morning creating something out of an old pram and Mum's washing line, (although to be fair some still do), the winning car (see below) shows some thought and the speed this guys (and Ladies) reach on the flat stretches are very impressive. The other thing is that because each team is sponsored there's some pride at stake and the first two teams consisted of members of two cycling clubs, which i think is stretching the spirit of the event to the point of snapping it.
Anyway everybody had a great time, the shops that opened in the morning did good business, as did the pubs, the open air bar (courtesy of Ringwood Brewery) and the various fast food and ice cream vendors around the course. And the air was filled with the sound of cheering, laughter and people having a good time, all without the sound of those vuvuzuelas!
4 comments:
It just shows that a good time can be had by all without millions of pounds being spent.
I'm tempted to say it sounds like a typically eccentric British event but then I remember La Tomonita (I think that's it's name) in Bunyol and the Bull Run in Pamplona and realise we're not alone in doing daft things for fun.
I think people everywhere like to do something a little different from time to time - although the tomato throwing and the bull run could both end up a little messy!
Looking at that winning car I think he could gain a few seconds by smothing the car's body, looks a bit bobbly...yeah, right.
Sounds great...now HAD England got to the WC final would it have been such a success?...
P.S. oops...I was a week out. Being in the WC final would have made no difference!
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