Smashing was fun had by all at the 2016 Car Jumping Championship in West Sussex, UK on Monday (2nd May).

Under overcast skies in West Sussex on Monday, ten men pitted themselves against each other in a true test of mettle.

...and at the annual Car Jumping Championships mettle meets mental.

Whiplash, bruising and concussion are genuine threats to those brave souls daring to soar higher than ever before.

The brave drivers accelerate their cars over a ramp in an attempt to fly over a line of eight old wrecks - and land safely on the opposite side.

One of the drivers, Reuben Neves, made no secret of drivers fears...

"Everyone is nervous. If someone says they are not nervous then they are lying to you - because everyone is nervous. To race, to do a jump, to do whatever you are going to do...you are going to be nervous. As soon as you go off everything goes to the back of your mind and you just concentrate on doing that one thing."

Ambulances and medical staff on hand showed exactly those fears that were held for the safety of the competitors.

Each attempt is judged on elevation, the reception from the crowd and - of course - distance.

Few made it over the mangled mess of automobiles - but a young window cleaner from Guildford was amongst them.

Twenty-seven year-old Stuart Pateman, who drove an old Ford Mondeo, was thrilled to take the title.

His steely performance earned him a modest cash prize, the winners trophy - and no doubt a sore neck and the belief that any dangerous challenge is doable.