Batmobile Returns to Arrowtown Trolley Grand Prix

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Luke Calder in Batmobile during the first Arrowtown Trolley Grand Prix
Batmobile Returns to the Arrowtown Trolley Grand Prix
The high tech Batmobile, is returning this year to compete in the annual Arrowtown Trolley Grand Prix on November 21 and designer Luke Calder aka Batman says the state-of-the-art machine is currently under secret construction in his workshop.
“As we speak my butler Alfred is concocting a few new and innovative additions to the original Batmobile I raced in the first event several years ago. So fellow racers should be warned that Alfred is definitely on the case!”
The Batmobile won the recreational division in the debut year of the trolley grand prix and was an absolute crowd favourite.
“I am fully kitted out as Batman and have a couple of ‘Robins’ running around with me and the kids absolutely love it. I will certainly have my very enthusiastic six-year-old Hugo assisting me this year as well.”
Luke says it will take quite a bit of work to put his machine together and has put out the challenge to other competitors to turn up and “Beat the Bat.”
“The trolleys can be as simple or as complicated as you like. People certainly don’t have to go over the top and the event is really a chance to have fun with the kids and even make just a simple soap box derby type trolley. All you have to be able to do is steer it and stop it!”
Luke considers the grand prix is an excellent community cause, raising money for the Arrowtown Preschool and its new centre.
“It’s definitely a fun community event with lots of stalls and street entertainment as well. The annual design sale in the Arrowtown Hall is being held to coincide with the grand prix and that’s an extra drawcard for the town.”
The trolley grand prix has corporate and recreational divisions and the overall winner of the day will be the fastest trolley across the line. A public vote also counts towards placings in the separate categories.
The race starts on Arrowtown’s Durham Street, beside the preschool and follows a course to the finish line in Ramshaw Street.
ENDS