THEY were known as "Flying Soapboxes" and 60 years ago, back in 1955, the little racing cars were the latest craze for Southampton people looking for thrills and excitement amidst the dull days of post-war austerity.

Officially known as CK's Bantam Racers they were designed specifically for the former Southampton Stadium where it was planned that members of the public would be able to to compete against one another on the venue's cinder track.

The little cars were the brainwave of the late Charles Knott, then Southampton's number one sports promoter and owner of the Stadium which attracted thousands to speedway, stock car racing, greyhound racing and many other sporting events such as showjumping, boxing, exhibition tennis matches and wrestling.

It was in March, 1955 that Mr Knott unveiled his latest promotion with the arrival of the Bantams. They boasted a top speed of 45 miles an hour and were powered by a standard 197cc Villiers engine with three forward gears and one reverse, which had been built in a workshop in Millbrook, Southampton.

At just seven feet long and four feet wide, the cars, which were controlled by normal vehicle foot pedals, were designed with flush sides extending almost to the ground making the wheels virtually invisible as the vehicles scooted round the stadium circuit.

The Bantams were the creation of Mr Knott together with speedway rider, Mike Erskine, who were both convinced that this type of racing, open to the general public, had a great future. Unfortunately their plans for the new sport soon ground to a halt.

Before local people, who needed just a crash helmet and a driving licence, clambered into the cars there were months on intense testing and on the afternoon of Easter Monday, 1955 the first Bantam racing event attracted a huge crowd.

The Daily Echo reported: "This new type of motor sport - it seems a cross between stock car racing and dodgem cars - gave the spectators plenty of thrills.

"Spills were few. Only one driver was injured and taken to hospital, but bumping and pushing as the Bantam cars completed their laps caused considerable excitement.

"Quite a lot of talent was shown during the event, and with a little more experience there should be a lot of fun in this new sport for both drivers and spectators."

A two further competitions were held at the Stadium but the brakes were soon applied to the fledgling sport as the cars were not considered safe enough for the public to drive and the brief experiment was consigned to the history books