International Trolley Grand Prix
Trolley Grand Prix Preperations
There is no record of the first time this event was held but it is now such a well-established part of Regatta that it is guaranteed to attract teams from as far away as Kingswear!
In fact, visitors are warned that if they want to enter they should do so as soon as they arrive in town. It’s not for nothing that it is probably the most hotly contested of the "Just For Fun" events, when teams of two, consisting of a driver and a mechanic, are entered by local establishments and all the armed services that play such a big part in the Regatta.
The race is pretty basic – at the signal the driver pushes his trolley, in which sits a container full of water (or fuel!!), along the Embankment to the Crab and Bucket and back to the start line. But, no, it is isn’t that simple after all. This is where the mechanic comes in. Obviously, as the trolley races along the track it uses fuel, not in the conventional way of Formula One – this is only Dartmouth, not Monte Carlo – so the fuel leaks from holes in the containers. The poor old mechanic has to keep running from the refuelling tank to his trolley and refill the container. Once the container is empty the driver has to stop and wait for his mechanic. Any driver who moves without fuel could be disqualified. The winners are the team that crosses the finishing line first. Anyone thinking of entering a team should demand to be the driver as they definitely have the easier job. Not only are the fuel tanks leaky but so are the buckets provided for the mechanics to refill them.
The Regatta committee reminds onlookers and participants that they are there at their own risk and they and the sponsors cannot take responsibility for their safety. Strictly no eggs, flour or other missiles to be thrown at the teams, thank you. With the prize of almost international glory for the winners, this is always a hard fought race and teams are reminded that the Regatta officials’ decisions are always final. Oh, and fancy dress is a must!!
In fact, visitors are warned that if they want to enter they should do so as soon as they arrive in town. It’s not for nothing that it is probably the most hotly contested of the "Just For Fun" events, when teams of two, consisting of a driver and a mechanic, are entered by local establishments and all the armed services that play such a big part in the Regatta.
The race is pretty basic – at the signal the driver pushes his trolley, in which sits a container full of water (or fuel!!), along the Embankment to the Crab and Bucket and back to the start line. But, no, it is isn’t that simple after all. This is where the mechanic comes in. Obviously, as the trolley races along the track it uses fuel, not in the conventional way of Formula One – this is only Dartmouth, not Monte Carlo – so the fuel leaks from holes in the containers. The poor old mechanic has to keep running from the refuelling tank to his trolley and refill the container. Once the container is empty the driver has to stop and wait for his mechanic. Any driver who moves without fuel could be disqualified. The winners are the team that crosses the finishing line first. Anyone thinking of entering a team should demand to be the driver as they definitely have the easier job. Not only are the fuel tanks leaky but so are the buckets provided for the mechanics to refill them.
The Regatta committee reminds onlookers and participants that they are there at their own risk and they and the sponsors cannot take responsibility for their safety. Strictly no eggs, flour or other missiles to be thrown at the teams, thank you. With the prize of almost international glory for the winners, this is always a hard fought race and teams are reminded that the Regatta officials’ decisions are always final. Oh, and fancy dress is a must!!
