On your marks! Get set!

3rd Annual Springfield Community Billy Cart Races on Father's Day, Sunday 4 September

Ever wanted to be able to race a police vehicle and get away with it?

Now is your chance as billy cart enthusiasts from across Ipswich, including the local constabulary are busy creating their carts to make it to the starting line for the 3rd Annual Springfield Community Billy Cart Races to be held on Father’s Day, Sunday, 4 September, 2011.

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

Event coordinator Dr Megan Axelsen said the local Springfield Police Station has been hard at work in partnership with Springfield Central High School to create a sleek speed machine in time for the race.

'This is an opportunity for the local community to legitimately drag a police vehicle in the spirit of good fun and they have really done an outstanding job on the cart, so it could be the ‘one’ to beat on the day,' she said.

Dr Axelsen said she expected a large turnout of competitors this year because word was getting around about the annual event.

'There will be three categories of racing this year, the Junior Flash Harry’s Sinnathamby Race (ages 5-12) - a 150 metre race for junior competitors racing in specialised, technically constructed carts.

'The Race (Ages 13+) - a 200m race for competitors racing in specialised, technically constructed carts and the Dare Devil Race (ages 5-17) - a 150 metre race which is open to almost any type of home-made cart,” Dr Axelsen said.

“There are great prizes up for grabs with $300 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 .

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