BOURNEMOUTH got a taste of pedalcar Grand Prix madness yesterday as one of the vehicles whizzed in for a visit.

The Daily Echo team’s pedalcar took a spin through the Lower Gardens in the warm-up to the British Pedal Car Grand Prix in Ringwood on Sunday.

For the past couple of days it has been on show in the Echo’s office in Richmond Hill, before final practice sessions get under way.

Around 10,000 people are set to line the streets of Ringwood to watch the two races, at 11.15am and 2.15pm.

Teams hoping to clock up the fastest times include Royce UK Engineering, Christchurch Bicycle Club, RAF Air Cadets and Ringwood Junior School.

Race director Jim Stride said: “We had so many new team enquiries from local groups, retailers, charities and even emergency services that to avoid disappointing many potential teams we have increased the maximum teams to 72 from 54 as in the 2010 GP.

“The Pedal Car committee have put in some serious work to put this amazing and most bizarre community event in the country on to the transformed streets of Ringwood with expected crowds of over 15,000.”

The 0.9km circuit starts in Market Place and sees pedal cars charging down High Street, up Southampton Road and along Meeting House Lane.

From pit stop changes to champagne podium celebrations, the Ringwood spectacular has all the hallmarks of the real Grand Prix, and has previously been extensively covered on TV.

Daily Echo reporter Harriet Marsh will join Royce UK’s team, going head to head with a group from Wave 105.2FM.

Organisers need more helpers. Volunteer marshalls can email Steve Fowler at steve@pampurredpets.com and anyone who can help set up the race track should contact Howard Cox at howard.cox@bournegroup.eu