A WEEK in advance of the British Grand Prix, youngsters at a Poole special school held their own exciting trackside event.

The Wheelchair Grand Prix is an annual and much anticipated day at the Victorian Education Centre in Lindsay Road.

"It was brilliant," said Martin Cook from the PE department, who along with Paula Allcroft organised the race day. "The sun was out and everybody had a lovely time."

The whole day was modelled around a Grand Prix and all 90 students aged four to 20 took part, with separate races for motorised wheelchairs and those pushed by classroom assistants.

Timed qualifying laps took place in the morning with the winner of the hour-hour races those who got closest to their predicted number of laps.

Poole Mayor, Cllr Ann Stribley, waved them off with a Union Jack and the chequered flag brought them home. Along the way there were compulsory pit-stops for a drink and the safety car - a flag-covered mobility scooter ridden by a member of staff - was sent out to slow them down for a lap.

"It's all about trying to replicate the feel of a Grand Prix day," said Martin, adding there was a VIP area with soft music and drinks and for weeks afterwards students would be talking about who they "cut-up" on the track.

The preparation of keen competitor William Sabine, 14, who was seen out on the track in practice the previous week, paid off by winning him first place in the self-propelled race, while Honey Arnold-Jones, nine, took the trophy in the assisted race.

During the morning there was a range of cars and motorbikes for the youngsters to explore including a Porsche and convertible Jaguar lent by Sporting Bears, a replica 1950s caravan from Poole Bay Classics, the Mayor of Poole's car, a jeep and Harley Davidson belonging to Ian Borrowman, and a car from the local Seat dealership among others.

The event, the fifth to be held, was well backed by local businesses and Martin said he was very grateful to everyone who came along and supported them on the day.

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