WORLABY DOWNHILL CHALLENGE

Just like a wasp this village track needs to be treated with caution. Start messing around with it and you'll get stung!

Show some respect and you will have an exhilarating run down perhaps the most challenging course in the UK. Which is why the maximum number of carts is reached sometimes minutes after entries open. Part of Worlaby's popularity is the Saturday afternoon and evening entertainment. Your sensitivities and constitution will determine how much you choose to participate. Always wise to bear in mind that start time really is 8.00am Sunday morning.

F1 style incremental start lights trigger the electronic timing system. Release the brakes as the fifth bulb goes out and the cart slowly gathers momentum. First left hand bend is slight but the exit is obscured by the high banking either side of the road. About 80m further on is a real test - Keyo Corner. A ninety degree right hander with ruts on the inside. Brake too much and a fast time immediately evaporates. Little or no braking will probably result in heavy altercation with the straw bales.

The road flattens out for the next 120m and then through the esses, left and then right. Into the tree tunnel for 170m. On a wet day it's dark, bumpy and slippery. On a dry day it's gloomy, bumpy and only slightly less slippery. Approaching the end of the tunnel it's very, very difficult to judge where to brake for the last left hand corner. Some don't bother and either look like spectacular heroes sideways through the narrow finish gate or, more often than not, bury themselves in the very substantial outside barrier.

Recovery is carried out after about 10 or 12 cart runs so time to grab a burger or ice cream if you're one of the first in the cohort. Typically 2 practice runs and 3 timed runs before the prize giving at 4.00pm.