Part of this year’s Gloucester Chill Out Festival (July 22) featured the inaugural Chill Out Billy Cart Derby.
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A total of 17 billy cart drivers ranging is ages from eight to 80, in an assortment of billy cart machinery ranging from the strange and unusual, to the sleek and high tech competed in billy cart races and time trial events.
Racing started outside the fire station on King Street, finishing up down the hill, on the other side of Church Street.
One racer, Lance Irwin travelled from East Maitland to compete in the event.
He came to town with some very impressive carts, which he kindly loaned, providing others, who did not have a cart, with the opportunity to join in the fun.
Lance said he had competed in many billy cart derby’s over the years and the atmosphere at the Gloucester Chill Out Derby was fantastic.
The highlight of the derby was the Gloucester Resources Limited Business House Challenge with a first prize purse of $1,000 for the winning driver to donate to the charity of their choice.
Related story: It's time to get your billy carts ready
This event was won by Gloucester’s Drew Stone in a billy cart sponsored by the Bakers Creek Wild Dog Trappers.
GRL’s chief operating officer Brian Clifford entered his billy cart the Black Barron, but a few design faults slowed it down, and Drew took honours.
Brian said it was great to see so many people in the streets supporting the inaugural billycart event.
“It was a great event and a fantastic festival,” he said.
“Drew and his support crew were tough competition, and the team of superheroes from King Street Motel were definitely the best dressed in the field.”
Drew said the whole billy cart derby was terrific fun and he was pleased to divide the prize money equally between the Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Event co-organiser, Bob Tebbet said the concept of the event was family fun and involvement.
“I think we achieved this objective,” he said
“Dads and Pops built the carts and whole families got into the spirit of the event.”
Other results: Open down slalom - Lance Irwin; Under 12 time trial, Alex Tebbet
Event organisers would like to thank to the Gloucester Business Chamber, GRL, Mid Coast Council and all who competed and assisted in making the event such a success.