Crazy Cars race the Silver Coast

The second edition of the Crazy Cars Race is back to Caldas da Rainha on May 25th, a Sunday, with the inscriptions under way until the contest day.

After having participated last year about 100 people, divided into 18 teams and some individual shares, the councillor Hugo Oliveira hopes that in 2008 the participation level will be even greater. "We want to have more crazy cars and to involve more people, encouraging their creativity and at the same time to make disclose more about our city," explained the councillor for Youth.

Apart from building an original and no motor car that travels the streets of Caldas da Rainha, participants must also participate in a proof of knowledge, responding to several questions about the city. This time there will also be some physical evidence.

As for cars, there are no limits to the imagination. They can be processed bicycles, cars, bearings, skates, roller blades or other means of transportation other than motor. According to Hugo Oliveira, there are groups that have started to build their cars, but there is still time for new subscriptions. The deadline for admission is up to 13:00, on the day of the race.

There will be two categories, individual and in groups and in both cases is distinguishing the means of transport that has the greatest creativity (60%) and best score in the test of knowledge (40%). The first prize will be a week-end in a European capital, but is not yet defined the destination. The second and third prize will be a week-end in a youth hostel.

Last year the winners were a group of students of the Training Centre for the metal industry (Cenfim) and Claudino Moreira.

The route will start in front of Town Hall, crossing the street Herois da Grande Guerra, among other streets, and ending at the statue of Queen Leonor.

In the first edition, the fact that the route required cutting traffic off of several streets was very complicated, even taking into account the fact that it wasSunday, which caused many complaints. So, this year, was chosen pedestrian areas for the race.

Since Hugo Oliveira is also responsible for the Trade matters at City Hall, he wants to use this event to encourage more people to come to the city on a Sunday afternoon and make their purchases. "What people have had this experience in Caldas on a Sunday afternoon?”

The City Hall has already contacted the trade association for this entity awareness among its members at the centre of Caldas to be open doors for the day. The municipality also defies traders to join the initiative.