THIS Sunday sees the return of Catterline's 'Cartie Challenge' as part of the festivities taking place for the Gala weekend in the coastal village.
Twenty-six carts have been entered into the race, which, since it began in 2005, has been widely regarded as the highlight of the gala. All entries have been inspected to make sure they will cope with the course, which runs from the Creel Inn down th
e brae to the harbour in the village.
Organiser Lynne Fraser said: "The Cartie Challenge is great fun for competitors and spectators alike, but we take safety very seriously. The course is very challenging and carties will reach speeds of over 30mph at the finish line, so it is important that they are up to the job. You have to be able to steer it and you have to be able to stop it."
Some teams will be travelling over 400 miles from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire in order to take part.
The carts racing in the event will be on display at the gala on Saturday, where prizes will be awarded for "Best Engineered" and "Best Decorated" carties.
This year, the Gala has a Wild West theme and will be opened by The Northern Roughriders, who will entertain spectators with gun fights and bar room brawls, as well as providing a Bucking Bronco where visitors can try their luck.
Sunday will see the carties being time trialled down the course, when the winner will be presented with a Connons Shield and hailed as "supreme champion".
But that isn't the only accolade on offer on the day. Prizes will be presented for the Cartie sprint race, there will be a constructors trophy for best aggregate time, and a "champagne moment" for the most memorable incident of the day.
Work has also been going on to improve the course.
The rough track past the finish line where carties would rattle and skid to a halt has been resurfaced with beautiful black tarmac courtesy of contractors WM Donald, so the drivers will have a much smoother ride as they take the chequered flag.
The gala event kicks off at 1.30pm and runs until 4pm on Saturday, and the Cartie Challenge starts at 1pm on Sunday and runs until 5pm. As parking is limited visitors are advised to park in the school or village playing fields.
All money raised by the Cartie Challenge goes to the Gala Fund, which is used to support projects that benefit the local community.
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