Cart races thrill fans

A NEW tradition in Upwey got off to a flying start, with crowds turning out in force for the inaugural community billy cart races.
Race day began at 10am and finished mid-afternoon on Sunday, 26 February.
An estimated crowd of over 600 turned out to watch 143 entrants race down Main Street in events catering for local businesses, community clubs, emergency services and novelty riders.
Race committee president Trish Walters said the day, which featured four separate junior categories from age five upwards, was a fantastic family occasion.
“I can’t believe how well it went – it was just superb. It was just great to see the kids’ faces, and all the imagination and hard work parents had put in with their kids,” she said.
Local police attended the event to measure top speeds on a radar gun, with the fastest cart clocked at over 37km/h.
Prizes including push bikes, Community Bank accounts and trophies were dished out to winners, while Upwey Real Estate won a shield for taking out the traders’ race.
The shield will be up for grabs again in 2007, when feedback received and funds raised from this year will be put into running an even better event for the community. “We’ve started a trend and we’ve really got to uphold it,” Ms Walters said. “It’s something everyone will really look forward to next year.”