Glory as high-flyers turn to pedal power
After an absence of several years, the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO) returned with a slick new kart to win the Hong Kong Grand Prix, an annual charity race that has raised more than $22 million since 1986.
The 24-hour pedal kart event was held at Morse Park, Wong Tai Sin, over the weekend, with 40 teams taking part in the two-day race.
Team HAECO, also winners in 1996, '97 and '98, covered 708 kilometres, or 1,237 laps, to take the chequered flag in their Reebok-sponsored vehicle.
West Island School will be proud of their effort - all their three karts finished the race, and West Island 1 was the only entry in the schools category to complete more than 1,000 laps (1,018) to take the title.
Island School's sole entry withdrew from the race after just eight hours due to technical problems, dashing their hopes of a glorious return to the fray after a lapse of several years.
MTR Angels won the ladies' category, covering 489km spread over 854 laps.
The Hong Chi Association, beneficiaries of funds raised in the past and operators of a popular restaurant last weekend, won the Fun category, having covered 440km, or 768 laps.
With donations still being received, total funds raised this year will be known by the end of this month.
* More pictures at yp.scmp.com
