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Reverends ready for mobility scooter grand prix
Five churchmen race for the title of the fastest minister in Mid Beds.
Five revved-up reverends are pulling on their driving gloves, polishing their racing goggles and preparing for a high-speed grand prix - on mobility scooters.
From the creators of previous wacky events, like Crash Test Granny, comes this summer's hottest motor-racing event - Rev the Rev - designed to find the fastest minister in Mid Bedfordshire.
Michael Trodden, Rector of St Andrew's Parish Church, Ampthill, Canon Denis McSweeney, of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flitwick, Steve Summerfield, Pastor of Shefford Baptist Church, Stephen Plummer, Senior Pastor at Ampthill Baptist Church, and Nigel Washington of St Mary Magdalene, Westoning, have all sportingly agreed to race each other around an obstacle course.
The event will be part of Fusion, a summer holiday programme for children aged from six to 12 years, organised by Ampthill's Parish Methodist and Baptist churches.
Adrian Ward, the driving force behind Fusion, said: "Each year we record video clips to use in a game.
"In the past we have launched Crash Test Grandad out over 17 double-decker buses, and fired Crash Test Granny out of a cannon, but Rev the Rev is our most ambitious project to date."
All eyes will be on keen motorcyclist and hotly-tipped favourite Father McSweeney when the ministers face off at Russell Lower School in Ampthill on Saturday.
He said: "I am a very keen biker and a regular at the Ace Cafe in London, which is like a biker Mecca.
"Rev the Rev is just a bit of fun but I must admit I'm looking forward to it.
"I have never been on a mobility scooter before, but it might be practice for the future."
All five ministers will be trying to beat a time set by Bedfordshire's own version of The Stig.
The contest is being fought out and committed to video on Saturday, but the result will be a closely-guarded secret until the last day of Fusion on Friday, August 1.
Mr Plummer said: "I am hoping to go first in order to get a good time before the batteries run down. It's going to be good fun.
"All the ministers involved get on really well and are quite outgoing and up for it, but I'm sure there will still be a competitive aspect.
"It will be just like Top Gear with our lap times going up on the board one by one."
More than 100 children have already signed up to take part in this year's Fusion event, which runs from Monday, July 28 until Friday, August 1.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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