Rotary’s Stacey Price winding up to top speed down Sanger St in the 2025 Australian Billycart Championships.
The rebirth of the Australian Billycart Championships in Corowa on Easter Saturday produced more billycarts than at any time in the event’s more than 20-year history.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
From as far away as Queensland, Western Australia, Melbourne, Geelong and Castlemaine, billycarts converged on Sanger Street, more than the previous record.
About 2500 people turned out to witness the event and Lions Club president, Stuart Whisson declared the day “just brilliant”.
Craig Salmon from Corowa VRA.
Billycarts of all colours and sizes started at the high point in Sanger Street and quickly gathered speed down the hill, with top speeds of 37kmph clocked by police.
The Australian Billycart Championships were resurrected this year after being paused during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 47 heats for juniors, seniors and community, including schools, culminated in the finals with Alan Treloar eventually taking bragging rights home to Melbourne in the Open division.
Among the standouts was Dean Coles from St Leonards, near Geelong, in the open age class.
Dean Coles travelled from near Geelong to hit the track once again after winning back to back titles in 2018 and 2019.
A seasoned enthusiast, Coles is no stranger to the Corowa track after taking out consecutive titles in 2018 and 2019.
Coles’ cart, which he built in 2013, was carefully refined over the years.
“I make modifications every year,” he said.
“It’s like a Beverly Hills housewife, always needs to be a little slimmer.
“I love it. It’s good fun and the thrill never gets old.
“It's great to be back in Corowa doing what we all love.”
Congratulations to the winner of the over 60s category who was too fast for our reporter to catch his name.
Race caller Shaun Whitechurch was positioned in the middle of the street and said it was amazing to see the huge crowd and the excitement of juniors in particular.
“It just shows you, build it and they will come,” he said.
“Credit must go to the Corowa Lions Club for running the event, particularly Stuart Whisson who went above and beyond, to Corowa Tourism chair, David Walton, and Rotary were terrific.”
“It was great to see everyone work together to make the big event a success,” said Mr Walton.
“A lot of new carts are going to be built in the off season for next year.”
Mr Whisson thanked the police, the army of volunteers who all came to the party, and The Free Press for its coverage since the event received the go-ahead last December.
“Thanks also must go to our sponsors Fox and Lillie, Hanrahan’s, P&J Transport and Federation Council for in-kind support,” he said.
Planning is now underway for the 2016 Australian Billycart Championships.
17°C