Go-carts raise money for air ambulance

8:12pm Sunday 14th September 2008

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HOME made go-carts clattered through the streets of Cookham Dean today in a charity race.

More than 20 of the carts duelled it out to see who could race the course in the shortest time, with the money raised going to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Service.

Teams climbed aboard their vehicles at the top of Church Road and were pushed down the hill, negotiating sharp turns and steep slopes before the finish line at to Uncle Tom's Cabin pub.

The fastest cart was built by Team Jolly and driven by Tom Bibby.

He said: “It was quite exhilarating actually. At the end I had to take a three minute breather to calm down.

“A lot of effort has gone into the making of the car.

“We were putting the finishing touches on the machine at midnight last night and I would like to thank my team for all their hard work, dedication and persistence.”

Many of the carts were elaborately decorated, with designs including a coffin on wheels called “'Til Death do us Kart”.

There was also a bar complete with beer taps which rolled down the hill on coasters, driven by a team of men in drag.

The team from Cookham Bridge Rotary Club won the best cart competition. Their vehicle was made up to look like a tank with a rotating turret that fired a stream of water and fireworks on the back.

The best dressed award went to the Sheila's Wheels team, a group of girls dressed in pink riding in a miniature pink Cadillac.

Event organiser Peter Bartlett had built a cart in the shape of a baked bean tin called “Passing Wind”. The cart was driven by his sons Charlie, 16, and Oliver, 14.

He said: “It's bigger and better this year.

“Everybody seems to be having a lot of fun. We're blessed with beautiful weather, as we were last year.”