In pictures: Karts whizz downhill at Gravity Grand Prix

The afternoon downpours did not dampen spirits at the Gravity Grand Prix on Sunday as crowds stayed to watch themed-karts whizz downhill in Cookham Dean.

The action started from 1pm, with 28 karts - entered by charities, schools and individuals – taking to the course one at a time to achieve their best time.

The popular event, organised by local charity fundraisers the Cherry Pickers of Cookham Dean, returned for its 18th year with an action-packed day of racing and plenty of food vendors, community stalls and fairground rides to enjoy.

Crowds were watching on from the side lines as the first few karts took off, and made their way down the course, with helpers pushing them along the way.

There was a delay in racing early in the afternoon, following a crash on the course.

More than 1,000 people attended the event, race controller Peter Austen said.

Many spectators were making the most of the stalls on the green and queuing to pick up food from vendors including Ginger Wings, Greeklicious, Smoking Skewers, Wildfire Catering, and Premas Kitchen.

There was plenty barbecue food to enjoy as well as Pimm’s and a hog roast from The Inn on The Green.

A bar was also situated by the start line at the top of the course.

Youngsters were treated to an afternoon of fun with bouncy castles, fairground rides, and soft play.

People could also sign up for the raffle at a stall in the middle of the green.

Racing re-commenced after 2.30pm, and while the rain had started, that didn’t stop Better Late Than Never completing the course in one minute and 42 seconds.

After the first run was complete, it was time for the karts to take to the course for a second time.

Racer Slippery Fish whizzed around the track in one minute and 55 second during the second run.

Spectators cheered as Thames Valley Adventure Playground (TVAP)’s kart took off down the course, and a team taking on the roles of Willy Wonka and the Ooma-Loompas interacted with crowds as they raced downhill in their kart. 

The day concluded with the prize-giving in Cookham Dean Village Hall, led by actor Ross Kemp who had retuned once again to hand out the medals and awards to the first, second and third place finishers.

There were winners across a range of categories, including the Fastest Kart, which was won by One for the Road at one minute and 11 seconds, and Best Engineered Kart, which was awarded to the Savage Special.

TVAP took home first prize in the Best Novelty Kart category, and the Spirit of the Event went to Cookham Dean Primary School for their kart.

The event raises funds for Thames Valley Air Ambulance, who had a stall at the event, and other local good causes.

Peter added: “We were lucky in as much as the weather didn’t close in as early as we feared it was going to.

“We normally try and get three runs in, but today [Sunday], the combination of the weather and the delay, we were down to two runs.”

He added: “Our fastest time ever down the course has been one minute and seven seconds, but the weather wasn’t really for it this year, so the fastest time today, was one minute 11 seconds.”

The second fastest kart was one minute 14 seconds and the third fastest was one minute 17 seconds.

Peter said that considering the weather conditions, ‘that’s pretty good’.

He also praised the novelty karts, stating that Cookham Dean’s Primary School’s entries ‘are always amazing’, and added that TVAP’s kart was ‘really good’.