Dulcie Dal Molin gets ready to push granddaughter Claire Dal Molin, 9, as Val Ochalski starts them off. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI
Dozens of drivers will take the plunge down Port Kembla's Wentworth Street as the town prepares to turn back the clock to the heyday of community billycart racing.
Any fears that next month's derby would fail to capture the imagination of residents who remember the rip-roaring races of old were put to rest when organisers were flooded with more than 80 entries.
The Port Kembla Billy Cart Derby 2012 will revive a tradition that died 25 years ago.
Most teams are now putting finishing touches on their carts, while a few are just starting.
But everyone is jealously guarding the design secrets and tricks that will steer their cart across the line first.
"Anybody who's grown up in this area will know about Billy Cart Derby and what fun it is, so I think it's a matter of looking to revisit their youth and giving their kids the opportunity to have the same experience," event co-ordinator Val Ochalski said.
"I think it's also an opportunity for kids to have a bit of an adrenaline rush."
Divisions include juniors, open seniors, industrial, and the weird and wacky machines designed to get tongues wagging.
The most popular categories were juniors and open seniors. The derby is organised by the Red Point Artists Association and will be held on November 17.