The 2007 Derby, Saturday, March 10th

Holding the event in March (rather than in January) proved to be a winner for all concerned

Under clear blue skies that Nelson is famous for, well over 4,000 people were on hand to witness 103 drivers put 80 trolleys through their paces

The day dawned cool and calm but even before the 'grudge races' were over, temperatures were rising and although an on-shore breeze cooled the heat of the sun, it had little effect on all but the (ahem) 'aerodynamically challenged' trolleys - with record times set in all grades

Times from the 2005 derby were lower due to a course slightly shorter than the current 333.3m track

The Red Checkers

As promised, the RNZAF Red Checkers turned up... and down... and end-over-end! And later, their ground-crew raced to a respectable 6^th in both the Rockets final and the Monarch of The Hill

Three Cheers for Community Spirit!

Every year, neighbours the length of the course support the Collingwood Street Trolley Derby

In 2007, our 'wish-list' was longer than ever and we were generously and unhesitatingly supplied with:

Electricity for the PA
Shady front lawns and garages for our desks
Dial Up Internet Connections
Broadband Internet Connections!
Wireless Broadband Internet Connections!

all with a healthy dose of patience and understanding, without which the derby couldn't happen at all

Thanks to all the YIMBYsYes, in my back yard! of Collingwood Street

2007 Style Meisters

Richard Grimes, General Manager of the WOW Museum judged the Style Meister of The Hill: the trolley and costume combination with the most style

Once again, Christchurch couple Brian and Sharon Smith won the Style Meister award with their with their impeccable replicas - the 1936 Auto Union and the 1925 Bugatti

Richard also awarded family passes to the WOW Museum as prizes for 'style', which went to:

Brian 'Rosemeyer' Smith: Rosemeyer's Revenge: “the Audi Le Mans replica”
Fynn Swanson: Showdown: “a classic Kiwi backyard trolley”
Jared Williams: JJ Racer: “Love those fins!”
Louis Rowell Williams: The Heart of Gold: “inspired by Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”
Tyler Stilwell: Silver Speeder: “so sleek it foiled the police radar!”

Congratulations on the style, innovation and creativity. There were some wonderful machines on the day and we hope to see all of you and more in 2008

A New Monarch of the Hill

Racing one of his streamlined redwood constructions Red Rak Racer II, Tim Bayley was clocked by the Nelson Police at 70 km/h to wrest the crown of Monarch of The Hill from 'Team Laidlaw', which came 2nd and 3rd equal racing the Blue Bullet (Lincoln McKenzie - 67km/h), the Silver Ghost (Sam Laidlaw - 66km/h) and the Purple Trolley Eater (Greg Shaw - 66km/h)

Every split-second counts

In the heats, only 2.40 seconds separated the top six Rockets trolleys

In the Rockets finals, the racing was even closer with only 1.57 seconds between Tim Bayley, Greg Shaw, Sam Laidlaw, Lincoln MacKenzie, Carl Mead and Bradley Scott - which made for some rather frenzied activity at the results desk!

The Nippers' (under 6) final was won by Luke Rowberry in Lightning Luke

The Zoomers (7-10 years) went to Jared Williams in JJ Racer

The Sprinters (11- 14 years) was taken by Philip Palzer in Free Spirit