A NEW twist on an old favourite proved a hit at the Ringwood Brewery Pedalcar Grand Prix yesterday.

More than 70 entries led organisers to opt for two races for the first time in the wacky event’s 25 year history.

Crowds five-deep lined the town’s closed streets to watch and cheer as teams tackled the course in the name of fun.

There were a few hairy moments, with crashes and drivers banished to the sin bin, but these just added to the entertainment.

The Swebbelli Racing boys, who finished first overall with 62 laps, celebrated in the usual champagne-spraying style.

Racer Jes Featherstone, from Rugby, said: “Winning feels absolutely fantastic. It was close – a 0.01 second difference – so it was amazing at the end.”

Swebbelli nearly didn’t make it as their trailer broke down as they travelled down on Saturday.

Despite reaching their campsite at midnight, they clocked up a fine 89.52second fastest lap on the day.

Photos Rule! and August Motors Honda finished in second and third.

Bournemouth School Young Engineers’ 56 laps saw them win the juniors and Squeals on Wheels were victorious in the ladies’ competition on 59.

Race director Jim Stride was delighted with the day’s success and the “amazing” spectators.

“It has gone brilliantly, much better than we ever expected,” Mr Stride said.

“Because of the new format we weren’t quite sure how smoothly it would run. There were some really fast cars out there keeping things as competitive as usual, but all the teams entered into the fun spirit.”

Commentator Michael Lingham-Willgoss said: “I think we had more sponsorship and more fun than ever before.

“This event puts the town on the map.”

Ringwood Brewery earned the wooden spoon for not starting.

Go Bananas, a team of four families, took the Concours D’Elegance crown for the most attractive pedalcar and the Danny Cracknell trophy.

The dads do the legwork.

Mary Copplestone, 10, said: “The children will race as we get older.

“It’s so fun for everybody. Today was amazing, the best one ever.”

Harriet's day at the races

ANYONE who has ever followed me along the Wessex Way will know I am hardly a girl racer.

So it was with some nerves that I awoke yesterday morning, ahead of the British Pedal Car Grand Prix in Ringwood.

My team leader Cliff Poulton, aka ‘Mr Pedalcar’, had spruced our Royce UK car up nicely into an eye-catching Queen Bee.

It is testament to how serious this mad event has become that officials clipped our wings on the starting grid.

Very quickly, we were off, and the tension became almost unbearable.

After a rocky start, where I became entangled in the pedalcar’s chain and nearly became the biennial race’s first fatality, the fun set in.

Cliff is right, it’s hard not to smile when you’re whizzing around in a pedalcar.

Once I was familiar with the vehicle and the 0.9km course, it became a battle of body and mind to go as fast as possible and outstrip my competitors.

The crowds shouting encouragement and children sticking out their hands for you to ‘high five’ make it all worthwhile.

It’s a bumpy two-hour ride and I’m sure there will be a few bruises, but I highly recommend it.

Well, Ringwood, see you in 2014.

Royce UK’s ‘Bee Happy’ finished ninth, with 58 laps and a fastest time of 104 seconds.