Archive: 2008

The 2008 Collingwood Street Fresh Choice Trolley Derby:
Saturday, 08 March

101 drivers registered to compete in 81 trolleys

Record entries, additional sponsors and yet more awards continued to make the derby a free, community event that says a lot about Nelson and the values of family, fun, friendship and creativity

09 March 2008 - Media Release

Racing powered by gravity drew a large crowd to Collingwood Street on Saturday for the annual Fresh Choice Trolley Derby.

Trolleys created by Sam Laidlaw dominated the adult racing, tacking all three top places in the Rockets section.
Lincoln Mackenzie won in the Blue Bullet
Greg Shaw was second in Everyman Records
Laidlaw himself took third place in the Silver Ghost

Greg Shaw wrested the title of Monarch of the Hill from Tim Bayley, and was clocked by Nelson Police and ACC at 69km/h.

The trolley derby was raced in perfect conditions, drawing a crowd of around four-thousand over the day, peaking during the afternoon finals.

Christchurch couple Brian and Sharon Smith won the Style Meister award for the third year running, with their two replica 1930s Auto Unions and a 1925 Bugatti, complete with authentic pre-war racing outfits.

The Nippers' (under 6) final was won Morgan Williams

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

The Sprinters (11- 14 years) was taken by Liam King Turner

Event director Antony Hodgson said the Fresh Choice Trolley Derby was a very special event.

“It is fantastic that we are able to do this on a city street - thanks to the neighbours, the Nelson City Council, the police, St Johns and all the other people that make it work on the day,” he said. “We had record entries, additional sponsors and new awards - it’s an event that says a lot about Nelson and the values of family, community and creativity.”