The vintage is right up his alley so it is only fitting Andrew Conacher is back on board for Port Kembla Billy Cart Derby’s 75th anniversary.
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There will be a retro feel to the 2015 event on Saturday, November 28. The increasingly popular derby will feature a Rockabilly Festival with muscle cars, family friendly rides and entertainment.
The first derby on Wentworth Street was held way back in 1940. This year’s event will be the fourth in recent years in Port Kembla, after Red Point Artists Association resurrected the race after a 25-year hiatus.
The Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce and a band of tireless volunteers nowadays run the event which this year features more race heats and categories for competitors aged from as young as seven.
‘’Undaunted and unembarrassed’’ at placing fifth out of five competitors, Wollongong architect Andrew Conacher [Hon Archibald ‘’Bumpy’’ Bumpstead] is back for another crack on board his 1930’s retro ‘’Ducass Special’’.
‘’I’ve made certain secret modifications that are sure to inch me up the placings,’’ Bumpy said.
Conacher said he had no hesitation representing the National Trust Illawarra Shoalhaven Branch at this year’s billy cart derby.
‘’I just thought it was a whole lot of fun and a great buzz,’’ he said. ‘’There are thousands of people out there. Wentworth Street comes alive. There is music, food and just general silliness….and I’m all for that.’’
Conacher has teamed up with good friend Carolyn Lee, who he has dubbed ‘’Coffin Girl’’, for the race.
While the pair have worked together fixing their carts, they will square-off against each other in the weird and wacky race category.
First-timer Lee is a ‘’little scared’’ but reckons her ‘’aerodynamically-designed coffin cart’’ will prove too quick for the Ducass Special.
‘’I’ve never raced a billy cart before but I reckon I have a good chance of beating Andrew,’’ she said.
Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce vice-president Renay Horton said organisers had gone all out to ensure the 75th anniversary event was amazing.
‘’Apart from all the derby fun we will have amazing food vendors and of course the Rockabilly Festival includes music, muscle cars and pin-up competition.’’
