A crowd of more than 500 packed into Churcher's College sports hall to watch one of the highlights of Petersfield's sporting calendar – the annual Pinewood Derby organised by Petersfield Scouts.
Enthusiastic onlookers had plenty to cheer as Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from all over the district took part in a series of races.
All the competitors had built and customised their own model cars from basic wooden kits.
The entries varied from
classical to comical – with one entrant incorporating the Simpsons and their sofa into his design.
A total of 194 cars were entered, and competition was so intense that even with split second electronic timing one race had to be re-run to resolve a dead heat.
Each car raced in three heats, with the fastest going into the semi-finals and finals of the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Leaders and Explorers categories.
The fastest from each category went into the Grand Prix final, and this year the overall champion was Beaver Scout Matthew Stapleton with car number 16.
Before the racing started, the nine sections of the design and finish awards were judged by a panel of experts, with chief judge Mary West complimenting all the boys on their efforts.
The event was attended by the mayor of Petersfield, Cllr Hilary Ayer, and her husband, East Hampshire district councillor Bob Ayer, who chatted to many of the young racers.
Prizes were presented by Adam Jollans (Hampshire County Commissioner), Phil Cook (Petersfield District Commissioner) and George Pickup (president of Petersfield Scout Fellowship).
The event was organised by Petersfield Scout Fellowship members led by Malcolm Peaty, who thanked everyone for their support, including local firms White Rose (Petersfield) and Travis Perkins.
RESULTS
Speed winners: Beaver final - 1 Matthew Stapleton, 2 Tom Clegg, 3 Archie Butt.
Cub final - 1 Harry Stapleton, 2 Imogen Haydon, 3 Henry Dodds. Scout final - 1 Tom Owen, 2 Jack Lilleywhite, 3 Ben Arnold. Leaders' final - 1 Mark Knowles, 2 Kevin Davies, 3 Mary Eyre. Grand Prix - 1 Matthew Stapleton, 2 Imogen Haydon, 3 Harry Stapleton.
Design and finish winners: Best design - 1 Archie Burt, 2 Toby Cooper, 3 Thomas Davies. Best paint job - 1 Morgan Glue, 2 Ben Knowles, 3 Charlie King. Most colourful - 1 Sebastian Turner, 2 Toby Church, 3 Alex White. Most realistic - 1 Rupert Blackwell, 2 Tom Rapley, 3 George Wade. Most humorous 1 Aran Williams, 2 Daniel Currie, 3 Mustafa Ahmed. Most futuristic - 1 Will Grove 2 Tom Bailes-Collins, 3 George McCurrach. Best personal effort - 1 Cameron Neasom, 2 William Orringe, 3 Callum Mansbridge. Buster Hampton Award - Duncan Codd. Racers' Choice - Thomas Davies.
