It is surely one of Kent’s wackiest races – as competitors line up with a motley and creative collection of machinery fashioned from wheelie bins.
Seven teams spent weeks preparing for the challenge at the Three Horseshoes pub in Staple Street near Faversham on Sunday, keeping alive a tradition going that dates back 25 years.
Among the entries were wheelie bin transformations into a bottle of champagne, a hospital bed, a hot dog stand, a giant rat and a particularly impressive RAF Spitfire, which won the award for best presentation.
But it was Chariots of Fizz which recorded the best time down Staplestreet Road, scooping the newly-founded John Edwards Memorial Trophy.
It was a poignant moment in a day otherwise filled with laughter in memory of John, a popular regular and darts team member who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.
His wife, Gina stepped up to present the awards.
Pub hosts Mossie O’Flynn and his partner, Laura, only took on the pub a couple of years ago but say they are delighted to keep the “landmark” event going.
This year it was in aid of the Pilgrims Hospice, which cared for John in his final weeks.
“Given the weather, it was a pretty good turnout and we will have raised hundreds of pounds for the charity by the time it’s all counted up,” said Mossie.
“We couldn’t hold this event without the help of so many people, including Mick Skipper and Gerry Dickson for officiating the races, and Tim Parrott for keeping everyone dry,” added Laura.
As well as the racing, pub-goers also enjoyed entertainment from bands Devil’s Dance Floor and Barracuda.
