Pedal car grand prix goes annual

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 27th Jan 2004.

THE thrills, spills and excitement of the British Pedal Car Grand Prix is set become a permanent fixture in Ringwood.

Until now the race has been organised on alternate years by Ringwood Round Table members.

However, last year the Tablers decided they no longer had the manpower to stage the race with its road closures, straw bales and thousands of spectators.

Instead, Cliff Polton of New Milton cycle component specialist company Royce UK Ltd., took the controls as race director, backed by secretary Jo Moss.

Jo said the 2003 edition saw competitors travelling from as far afield as Bristol, Rugby and Chippenham.

And, as the French version which used to take place on alternate years had "fizzled out" they decided to try and run it on an annual basis in Ringwood.

Previous winners such as the Royce UK or Spirit of Verwood's cars, which are powered by teams of four racing cyclists, had better look to their laurels.

Jo said some of the newcomers "are members of the British Federation of Pedal Car Racing and hope to come and give our local teams something to think about".

This year's two-hour race starting at 2pm on Sunday, July 11, will again be the final event of Ringwood Festival week.

The festival will begin on July 3 and 4 with a two-day French market.

Thanks to negotiations between town council clerk Terry Simpson and Ringwood market charter holder Edward Morant, the French event will be held in Ringwood Market Place for the first time.

In previous years French and Hampshire farmers' markets have been relegated to the Furlong car park.

Other festival events will include a concert by the Salisbury Symphonia and a comedy night plus the festival day itself on Saturday, July 10.

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