| Pedal car racing in the
New Forest began in the mid 1980's when Ringwood twinned with the
French town of Pont - Audemer where pedal car racing was already
well established. On alternate years, teams traveled to each
others towns for a weekend of racing. In Ringwood, the first races
were held in a car park but a few years later Ringwood Round Table
took on the organisation and closed the town centre so that a
really lively event could be held around the town's streets. Races
continued throughout the 1990's and gradually grew in size, with
many cars being built in neighbouring New Milton. Unfortunately
the French contingent eventually dropped out and a group of
enthusiasts took over the running of the event. It proved rather
an effort to run the race every year, so in 2005, the New Milton
Jubilee Committee offered to run a race in New Milton. It was an
immediate success with New Milton's streets proving to be ideal
for staging the race and a large and enthusiastic crowd of locals
attended to cheer on their favorite teams. Since then the races
have been held on alternate years in each town with the Ringwood
race now renamed the "British Pedal Car Grand Prix", an
honour deserved by it's rich history. The races now attract in
excess of fifty cars and crowds of "tifosi" numbering
many thousands. Teams range from talented racers to enthusiastic
pub teams, ladies teams and juniors. Such is the competition,
teams will have to complete well over 60km if they hope to stand
any chance of taking the winners trophy home with them.
In addition to the races held in
the New Forest, the British Pedal Car Championships hold events up
and down the country throughout the summer months. Cars are of a
similar build spec to New Milton/Ringwood and several BPCC teams
have raced very successfully in our races. The Scouting movement
also has a history of racing pedal cars in this country and the
town of Torquay holds it's own annual summer event, although the
car specs are somewhat different. Beyond our shores, perhaps the
most famous and colourful event is held in Hong Kong where more
effort appears to be made in designing and dressing up the cars
and drivers than in the racing itself.
To watch videos and see results and
photos from previous races please click on the links below. We
hope you enjoy browsing and we'll add more to this resource in due
course.
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