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. 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. 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. “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. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LittlehamptonGazette 3) Follow us on Twitter @LhamptonGazette 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Littlehampton Gazette - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.