Sporting Mascot Race Adds a New Dimension to Days of Thunder

18 July 2003

A race with a difference on Europe’s fastest race circuit will take place on Sunday 27th July when Rockingham mascot Rocky the Rhino will take on all comers in a mascot race around the banked oval track using a variety of non-motorised transport. Twenty six mascots, mostly from UK soccer clubs, will take to the track for the 1.5-mile race and will add another exciting dimension to the day of family entertainment at the 3rd Days of Thunder meeting - which includes a live performance by top pop group Liberty X.

BBC’s Ground Force presenter Tommy Walsh - who is a member of Arsenals celebrity soccer team and no doubt will be cheering on the Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus - will be on hand to start the proceedings and wave the chequered flag. "It sounds like a great fun day out for all the family,” said Tommy. “I am looking forward to watching the Mascot Race and seeing Liberty X.”

“This is a fantastic new way of adding another dimension to the family style of entertainment we lay on during the Days of Thunder meetings,” said Rockingham spokesman Jeff Carter. “We have 22 football mascots taking part, as well as Mighty Knight from the London Knights ice hockey team, Splat the Cat from the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society and Corby Borough Councils own Lodgy the Lion. Rocky is confident of doing well on his home turf, but he faces a tough challenge from Arsenal’s Gunnersaurus and Swansea’s Cyril the Swan, who has a reputation for wanting to win at all costs. What is guaranteed is that the mascot race will provide a lot of fun for all the spectators, who will be able to watch the proceedings on the large video screens on top of the pit garages.”

The full list of competitors for the race is as follows:

Gunnersaurus, Arsenal FC
Billy Brewer, Burton Albion FC
Benny Buck, Telford United FC
Alice and Pete the Eagle, Crystal Palace FC
Whaddney the Robin, Cheltenham Town FC
Chester the Fieldmouse, Chesterfield FC
Theo the Wyvern, Leyton Orient FC
Roary the Lion, Macclesfield Town FC
Moonchester, Manchester City FC
Deepdale Duck, Preston North End FC
Sammy the Shrimp & Elvis Eel, Southend United FC
Cyril the Swan, Swansea City FC
Harry the Hornet, Watford City FC
Bodger, Wycombe Wanderers FC
Poacher, Lincoln City FC
Yorkie the Lion, York City FC
H’Angus, Hartlepool United FC
Mr & Mrs Magpie, Notts County FC
Peter Burrow Peterborough United FC
Mighty Knight, London Knights Ice Hockey Team
Lodgy the Lion, Corby Borough Council
Splat the Cat, Norwich and Peterborough Building Society
Rocky the Rhino, Rockingham Motor Speedway

See series calendar for ASCAR Days of Thunder Series

See events calendar for Rockingham

Related Story 20.06.2003 - Taking Liberty's at the Rock