PICTURES: 21-year-old wins caravan demolition derby in Angmering reopening race

The only woman driver taking part in a caravan demolition derby event in Angmering on Monday finished in first place.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Apr 2017, 11:31 BST
Updated 9th May 2017, 19:06 BST

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Winner Natalie SmithWinner Natalie Smith
Winner Natalie Smith

The Caravan Extravaganza, which took place at the Oval Raceway in Water Lane, was the first time 21-year-old Natalie Smith from Burgess Hill had ever taken part in a contact race.

The five lap contest sees caravans race around the track and crash into one another.

The last caravan standing wins.

The caravans in actionThe caravans in action
The caravans in action
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Natalie said beating the 13 other drivers competing ‘felt amazing’.

“I didn’t expect to win. It was a shock to the system,” she said.

“I was quite nervous, but as the racing went on I got the buzz for it and the adrenaline kicked in.”

After being encouraged to take part by her partner, Luke Chandler, she said she would ‘definitely’ race again.

Winner Natalie SmithWinner Natalie Smith
Winner Natalie Smith
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Jim Hazelgrove, who has owned the race course for more than 20 years, said the event attracted ‘a good crowd for Easter Monday’.

Over the day, 31 races took place in total.

Visitors also enjoyed a car crash derby and a hot rod race, where drivers reach speeds of up to 85mph, which drew some of the country’s best short circuit drivers including the infamous Outlaw Hot Rods.

The bank holiday derby marked the reopening of the race course, following a two-month refurbishment which saw a new concrete course installed along with a new entrance.

Caravan DerbyCaravan Derby
Caravan Derby

“It’s looking really nice,” said Mr Hazelgrove.

Another caravan demolition derby will be held on the next bank holiday Monday in less than two weeks’ time on May 1.

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Caravan Derby raceCaravan Derby race
Caravan Derby race

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