The winner? British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, for his 200-yard car ride to a conference hall -- where he was to deliver a speech urging the British people to limit the use of their cars.

Prescott's explanation? His wife was worried about her hair.

[Best example of the victory of the English language after 10 rounds with John Prescott? "Too many to list, but the judges particularly liked 'all have a contributory contribution to congestion.'"]