- Alyssa, 8, is a pedal-car racing veteran
- Full lap of Goodwood is 3.5km longer than pedal-car circuit
- Run raised money for Mission Motorsport charity
History was made on June 13 when Alyssa, an 8-year-old from London, smashed the lap record for pedal cars at the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit in the UK.
Piloting her cherished J40, which had been prepared by Austin Pedal Cars, she set a time of just 31 minutes and 51 seconds around the 3.8km track, beating the previous pedal car lap record by 10 minutes.
Alyssa undertook the challenge to raise money for Mission Motorsport, a Royal Foundation that helps military veterans recover from injury through involvement in motorsport. She has raised over NZ$17,000 so far, with the fundraising to continue through to the Goodwood Revival event in September.
Alyssa was well-prepared, as a veteran of the annual Revival Settrington Cup pedal-car race. However, her full lap was still a huge 3.5km longer than the famous pedal car race and took in all the corners and gradient challenges of the full circuit.
Alyssa's pace was fast from the off, her legs powering along the main straight to cheers from the crowd, and she kept her feet to the pedals for the entire lap, seemingly ignorant to the midday sun as corner after corner was taken, before racing through the chicane to complete the lap to loud applause.
“That was the hardest and most fun thing I have ever done“, said Alyssa. “I kept pedalling as fast as I could, knowing each corner was getting me closer to the finish. It was so hot, and the track seems so much longer against the clock, but I kept going as fast as my legs would go!“.