King of Woodhill says he’ll be back

MEET the junior racers who aspire to be future kings – in one case queen – of Woodhill.

FUTURE: Junior racers aspire to conquer Woodhill. Billy cart derby action at Woodhill State School, on Saturday, 28 July. Photo: Lisa Simmons

This Fab Five were among the starters at the 27-year-old Woodhill Billy Cart Derby at Woodhill State School today, Saturday, July 28.

Carts ranged from old style wooden frames to fancier beasts made in the main by the dads who worked alongside their kids to produce some of the fanciest billy carts that have ever raced downhill.

The went by names like The Red Devil, Shark, and The Tardis. One was modelled on a truck complete with rig. One chic, sleek machine was built from a wheelbarrow. Another was a billy cart issued by Hill’s Hoist, the great Aussie clothes line company during the 1970s and now a collector’s dream, found in a shed, rebuilt and restored to perfect working order.

WINNER: King of Woodhill for the second year Dylan Price and his winning car Bumblebee. Photo: Lisa Simmons

Dylan Price, 13, of Beaudesert was crowned King of the Hill for the second consecutive year.

He promised he and his car Bumblebee, modelled on a character from the Transformers film franchise, would return to make it a hat trick again next year.

“No new cars – this one works. I won’t do anything differently,” he said.

Woodhill State School’s billy cart derby is a highlight of the year at rural Woodhill, a tiny town located midway between Jimboomba and Beaudesert. The town has a small school and a great big hill. People come from near and far to watch kids race down that hill year after year.

The day opened with mists rising from the paddocks, but that soon cleared in the warm winter sun.

“We couldn’t have for a better day for it,” said derby organiser Hailey Mayes from Woodhill P&C.

“Just look at this weather.”

Woodhill State School adopt a cop Constable Peter Koplick attended with a speed gun to record race speeds as contestants careered down hill. Dylan’s car clocked 29 km/hr during its winning run.

The Woodhill State School billy cart derby is 27 years old. There were markets, food trucks, rides for the kids and stands manned by the Woodhill Rural Fire Brigade.

GIRL RACERS: Caitlyn Bradley, Ashleigh Pinkston, Liezel Gouws, Emma and Skylah Wagensveld at Woodhill State School, Saturday, July 28. Photo: Lisa Simmons.

An all girl team of junior drag racers made up of Caitlyn Bradley, Ashleigh Pinkstone, Liezel Gouws, and sisters Emma and Skylah Wagensveld were the stars of the show, with kids of all ages and genders lining up to meet the girls, sit in their cars and get autographs.

Tiny tots male and female met their stars junior raceway stars, climbed behind the wheels of their speed machines and lined for autographs.

Most looked forward to races in Warwick next weekend and Willowbank the weekend after.