The Paralympic Gold medallist handed over her mantle as 'course test pilot' to 18-year-old Paralympic Silver medallist Mickey Bushell who will carry out the essential 'technical trial run' to help Tyne Tunnel operations staff and event film crews prepare for the event.

And to pull out Mickey's best, the fastest 'boy' on wheels was up against the fastest series production motortrike driven from a wheelchair by his promoter, David Burdus.

The trike was limited to the 30mph Tunnel speed limit and the big question was 'can the boy wonder catch the bat mobile'?

David left Mickey standing from the start line and shot to 30mph in a few seconds, leaving Mickey a blip in his wing mirror and with no hope of catching him – or so he thought.

But the blip in the mirror got bigger and bigger and, unbelievably, Mickey shot passed the stunned trike driver with 100m to go.

Mickey was clocked at 41mph in his alloy and carbon fibre high tech chair as he left the trike in his slip stream.

Since its inauguration in 1993 the GEZE TT2K has become a "must do" challenge amongst the world's top athletes, and forms part of NewcastleGateshead's world-class festivals and events programme, developed by culture10.

The race itself is due to take place at 9pm today (Thursday, October 2).

Each year it attracts an internationally renowned field of elite and record holding athletes, but this year the field is the strongest ever with 12 Paralympians from Beijing 2008 lining up to take part.

These include Britons Shelly Woods who won silver at Beijing, David Weir who won double Gold at Beijing, Mickey Bushell, silver medallist at Beijing 2008, and Brian Alldis.

Internationals include Diane Roy and Josh Cassidy from Canada, and Italian Francesca Porcellato.

The GEZE Tunnel 2K International has to be seen to be believed.

The ride has been described as "bizarre and barking mad but totally unique", by Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, who has taken part in the TT2K six times.