Wheels in motion for Knutsford's 2010 Great Race (From Knutsford Guardian)

Wheels in motion for Knutsford's 2010 Great Race

6:00pm Saturday 6th February 2010

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THE sight of penny-farthings racing around the Moor will once again be the norm in the town this September after organisers confirmed the date of the Knutsford Great Race.

The event last took place in 2000 but the 10-yearly event will happen on Sunday, September 5, with more than 100 riders expected to take part.

Competitors take part in the three-hour endurance test on the two-wheeled vehicle.

Glynn Stockdale, on behalf of The Knutsford Great Race committee, said riders from as far afield as New Zealand and the USA would be taking part in the race.

“There is a race every year in Tasmania but it is only a short race of 10 miles, so ours is much longer,” he added.

“The event was dreamt up in 1980 between myself and a friend after he challenged me to a race and Le Mans had just taken place so I suggested a 24-hour race.

“Then I realised I could ride on a penny farthing for about 20 minutes so the distance came down and we decided on three hours.

“It was so successful the first time that people said they wanted it every year but it was a nightmare to organise so we said we would make it every 10 years so people remembered it when it came around again.

“It is a very tight course now with the rails they have put up, so it will be very difficult to get a penny-farthing around some of the corners.”

This year’s event has also attracted key sponsorship from two internationally recognised names, Bonhams, the fine art and collectors’ auctioneers, and Bentley (Manchester) which have both agreed to sponsor the 10-yearly penny-farthing race which takes place on the Moor.

Jon Crossley of Bentley Manchester said: “We are delighted to be involved in this event.

“Both Bentley and penny-farthing machines were developed by early pioneers of wheeled transport and are synonymous with craftsmanship, quality and pedigree. The Knutsford Great Race promises to be a fantastic event combining the excitement of racing with the spectacle of these amazing machines.”

Jamie Knight of Bonhams added: “It is fantastic to see these wonderful antique penny-farthings in action. Although penny -farthings were popular for only 20 years or so they continue to attract interest from the general public as well as from specialist collectors and we are pleased to be major sponsors of this event.”

For more information contact race secretary Stephen West on 01565 755219 or e-mail info@daneburyapartments.co.uk.

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