On your marks! Get set!

Billy Cart Race in Springfield on Father's Day

Feeling the need - the need for speed? Well ladies and gentlemen, prepare to start your engines!

Billy cart enthusiasts from across Ipswich will need to get busy creating their carts to make it to the starting line for the 2nd Annual Springfield Community Bill Cart Races to be held on Father’s Day, Sunday, 5 September, 2010.

The event, coordinated by the USQ Springfield campus in partnership with Ipswich City Council will take place on Sinnathamby Boulevard from 8am to 1pm.

Event coordinator Megan Axelsen said she expected a large increase in competitors this year because of the additional race events organised.

'There will be two categories of racing this year, the Flash Harry, a 200 metre race for competitors aged 10 years and over racing in specialised, technically constructed carts and the Delfin Dare Devil, a 50 metre race which is open to any age and almost any type of home-made cart,' Dr Axelsen said.

'There are great prizes up for grabs with $500 for first place in both categories.

'We will run a number of heats to qualify for the finals for each event owing to the cash prize money and trophies on offer.

'You don’t even have to win to come home with a prize! There are prizes for the slowest, the most innovative design and the best presented team on the day,' she said.

Dr Axelsen said the buzz around the region was that there were some great billy carts out of the design phase and now on the manufacturer’s kitchen table.

'I know a number of competitors already working hard on their contraptions, building, testing and having a whole stack of fun doing it.

'We run the event on Father’s Day because it provides Dad’s and their kids with a great project to work on together.

'Of course, Mum’s, grandparents and singles are more than welcome to throw their hats in ring as well.'

Anyone wishing to participate in the Annual Springfield Community Billy Cart Races can access information and nomination forms at www.usq.edu/springfield/life/billycart or contact Megan Axelsen on 0408 806 774.

Contact Details:
Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0438 309 096