Dozens of Dutch old age pensioners will take to a Formula One track this month to race each other in battery-powered buggies to promote greater mobility for the elderly and infirm.
Eleven nursing homes will send five contestants each, all over 70, to compete over an obstacle course on the Zandvoort F-1 circuit on July 27. The victorious nursing home will be win a buggy as well as a trophy.
“Many people don’t want to drive buggies because they think they look silly,” Elke van Wageningen, one of the organizers, told Reuters. “We want to get rid of that image and show they are tough, and we are using a four-wheeled open model that looks tough.”
Drivers will receive instruction ahead of the race although the maximum speed will be set at just 7 mph. “It’s more about skilful maneuvering than speed,” Van Wageningen said.
