THERE’S only one of a kind in the country and this weekend, Coleraine’s Australian Pedal Car Grand Prix hits the track again.


Initiated by then Coleraine Police Sergent, Trevor Sweeney, in 2009, the first event was held in 2012 and since then, has attracted weird and wonderful entries from across the state, fundraising for their chosen charities and vying for a portion of the now more than $4000 in prize money, offered over three sections.


“Trevor got the idea from British pedal cars, which had been running for 25 years and pitched it to the locals,” committee secretary, Lisa Hudson said.


“In 2011 they started meetings, started committee and it grew from there.”


The event is unique in that each entry must be a human-powered vehicle, with four wheels and pedalled by the driver.


Each car is generally operated by a team, with team members taking turns to make laps of the track which traverses Coleraine’s streets and the team with the most laps over the two-hour race duration, takes home the prize in their category.


“We have all sorts of teams – workplaces, groups of friends, the schools and we have had teams from as far away as Melbourne,” Ms Hudson said.


“Last year, we raised funds and had a specially designed and built pedal car, for Mulleraterong, which we’re pleased to say makes us a very inclusive event.”


While some teams build their own cars, the Grand Prix committee also has vehicles which they rent or loan to eager participants.


“There’s a company called Triseld, they have built some of our pedal cars over the years and we have four specially designed pedal cars that are hired out to competitors in the elite section,” Ms Hudson said.


“We have got others that teams can borrow.


“Over the years, we have seen some absolutely brilliant designs … we have had one that was a replica of a police car, we have had the Bluebird car, which was all blue with these great big feathers out the back, looking like something from Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert.


“We have had a spaceship, one representing the Pink Ribbon Foundation and even an orange and black creation, team Oompa Loompas.”


This year, entries are still coming in and more than a dozen entries are expected to take to the track.


“The numbers have dropped off over the years, but everyone that comes along still has great fun with it,” Ms Hudson said.


And in between watching the cars go around, there’s entertainment to be had at Coleraine’s railway precinct, where the annual Rubber Duck Race will once again hit the later at the lagoon.


“It’s another fundraiser we have, to take advantage of the beautiful lagoon we have in that area of town,” Ms Hudson said.


“There’s 50 rubber ducks, all with numbers and we sell them for $20 each.


“The first duck to make it to the west end of the lagoon – with a little encouragement – win’s the prize money.”


And there are plenty of food and market stalls throughout the events, to satisfy hunger cravings or a dedicated shopper.


Pedal Car Grand Prix Action kicks off at 11am this Saturday, 4 October with scrutineering, track inspection and test runs, before teams meet the track for the first time in a 1pm hot lap.


The flag drops on the race at 2pm, with the Rubber Duck Race at 3pm and the action wraps up at 4pm, with presentations from 4.30pm.


For more information, visit the Australian Pedal Car Grand Prix Facebook or web pages.