It is time to think about building your billycarts for the annual billycart derby down the hill at the Maclean showground on Australia Day. If you are unable to build your own billy cart or borrow one, the Maclean Lions Club will have a couple that they will lend out, thanks to the generosity of the Clarence River Men’s Shed at Townsend. Allan Wood and his band of men at the shed are building the Lions Club some carts, so as they can lend them to those children or adults that come without one. Some of last year’s contestants will possibly race again; these include Laurie Fitzpatrick, Spud Anderson and Dale Hogues. Also, the Bellingen Lions Club has thrown down a challenge to the Maclean Lions Club for bragging rights –just who will be piloting the Maclean Lions Club cart is yet to be decided. It all gets under way from 9am on Australia Day at the Maclean Show Ground. There are 3 age groups and 2 classes of billy carts that contestants can compete in: Age Groups: 8 – 11 Years; 12 – 16 Years and Opens. Billy Cart Classes: Soapbox: In the soapbox class wheel sizes are a maximum of 300mm in diameter, some form of steering and some form of braking. Open Class: Must have some form of braking and both classes must have a maximum 1.2m wheel width, a maximum 2.1m wheel base and no dangerous protrusions. All carts must have 4 wheels. All drivers must wear a motorcycle helmet, gloves, overalls or long sleeved shirt, long trousers and closed in footwear. For further information and specifications call Colin Woods on 6645 4358.