BANKFOOT — History was made on Main Street this weekend as a common garden snail won the inaugural Bankfoot 20mph Grand Prix, overtaking a Vauxhall Astra on the final bend by the war memorial in what spectators described as "the most thrilling finish since the Kinross Gala pram race of 1987."

The snail, named Gary by his pit crew, a family from Cairneyhill Road, crossed the finish line in a time of four hours, 17 minutes, edging out the Astra by approximately half a shell.

"We knew Gary had it in him," said crew chief Sandra Rattray, 44. "His lines through the chicane at the Co-op were immaculate. He didn't brake once. Admittedly he also didn't accelerate once. That's the beauty of snail racing — it's all about consistency."

The Astra's driver, a delivery man from Dunkeld, was furious, telling reporters the snail had "clearly been doing at least 21." He has lodged a formal appeal, demanding the race stewards review footage from three separate doorbell cameras.

Race officials defended the result. "Gary's speed was measured at 0.03mph throughout," said chief steward Morag Gillies. "The car, meanwhile, was observed stopping eleven times to let in other traffic, twice to allow a lollipop lady to cross, and once because the driver saw a neighbour and wanted a chat. In Perthshire, that is not racing. That's a social engagement."

Organisers say the event will become an annual fixture as the 20mph rollout reaches new villages across Perth and Kinross. A Luncarty Classic and a Stanley 500 are already planned, while Forgandenny has expressed interest in hosting a night race "once we work out how to tell the snails it's dark."

Gary celebrated his victory on the podium with a lettuce leaf and a short sleep. Asked for his plans for the future, his team said he was "taking it one lap at a time — and frankly, one lap is about all he's got."