16 May Bangalow Billy Cart Derby Rides Again!

Pamplona may have the running of the bulls, but Byron Shire has its own annual contest of daring and speed, the Bangalow Billy Cart Derby.

This Sunday, the 19th of May will see the picturesque village transformed into a raceway, with the main street closed to car traffic. The only vehicles plummeting downhill under speed will be the those meeting the minimal requirements of weighing under 75kg and having good brakes and steering. Among the hundreds of entries you can expect to see some rather creative interpretations within those parameters.

Local sponsor CRT Eden Country Store have generously donated some 600 bales of hay that will line the street to keep billy carts and spectators safely apart. This truly community event is now in its 19th year with races for everyone, from 5 to 85 year-olds competing for over $1,000 in prizes. The celebrity race will be particularly interesting this year with notables including MP Don Page, musicians Tex Perkins and Pete Murray competing alongside comedians Mandy Nolan and Akmal.

Races start at 9am and the Grand Parade will begin at 12:30pm with a flyover by Mark Awad of Classic Aero Ballina. Refreshments will be available in street stalls and the Bangalow Public School will be hosting its traditional Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. They will have fun activities for the kiddies with mad hat making, a jumping castle, raffles and of course tea and cupcakes.

So come along for a day of fun and excitement and cheer along our billycart dare devils. To join in the races see the rules and schedule on bangalowbillycart.com.au. Registration is at the Bangalow Hotel from 7am on Sunday. So dust off your billycart or just grab your camera and come along to Bangalow this Sunday for a day of thrills, spills, excitement and good old fashioned fun at the Bangalow Billy Cart Derby 2013.

by Ed Silk Byron Bay
mob: 0418 660 063
tel: 02 6680 8668