Hong Kong HPVA

Information

Pictures

Visit the Hong Kong Pedal website at www.hkhpva.org

On the heels of closer European ties, courtesy of Karbyk, we have (re-?)discovered a similar event in Hong Kong, run by the Hong Kong Round Table number 3 (Victoria), to raise money for charity. "Pedal", an annual 24-hour, has been running since 1986, when it was started by Clive Bates who started a similar event in Nairobi (Kenya). The Kenyan race is believed to still be running, although with no apparent web presence we are currently unable to confirm this.

Recent events have led to the creation of the Hong Kong Human Powered Vehicle Association (HK HPVA) to take on the running of the sport and to expand the season to more than one event.

Being a fairly cash-rich society, the Hong Kong rules are slightly more restrictive than our own, to prevent richer teams gaining any unfair advantages; however teams can have many more drivers per car than we allow. Despite being half a planet away, there were many similarities between BPCC and Hong Kong rules - in particular, the regulations governing car dimensions were very similar, which lead to the developments mentioned below.

Having made contact with us, as well as being in a period of transition due to the formation of the HK HPVA, the Hong Kong rules were revised as a first step towards a possible international formula. In their own words, "We are also working at re-working our race rules to bring them more into line with other organisations, and to allow karts built here or overseas to run in other events." A couple of draughts later, the International Pedal Car Specification has now been adopted in Hong Kong and here in the UK.

So, as if a possible European Championship wasn't enough, we might just see a global entry in the next few years! The opportunities for travel and exploration that this provides are immense. As a first step, Simon Boyde (who first contacted us) raced as one quarter of the team of four that was Great Central Racing (2) at Bolton in 2000 and thus saw Moss Bank Park float away under its annual monsoon. He was warned to bring his wellies and waterproofs, but we forgot to mention how small his team would be - sorry Simon!

Following this momentous event (!), it is possible that one or maybe even two current BPCC teams may be able to make the trip to Hong Kong in February 2002 to compete there, and possibly a return match at the Swansea 24 hour.

Evidently a Shell-sponsored team from the UK entered the Hong Kong event in 1987, although history records that they didn't do too well. This was possibly due to the fairing restrictions applied to UK cars at the time or the UK restriction on team numbers; it's just possible that the stress and jet-lag involved in flying to Hong Kong didn't help. If you were part of that team, or have more information about the expedition, please email the webmaster and tell us about it!

Need bike type stuff? Try our affiliates (What is this?):

- Site Terms and Conditions | Site sponsors | Contact us -

- Top of page -