No Brakes needed: Downhill Soapbox Derby
27Mild and bright winter sunshine brought out a very large crowd of around 3,000 for the 4th running of the Hoar Cross Downhill Soapbox Derby. After months of preparation, kart building and costume designing, 45 contestants entertained the crowd at the event at Hoar Cross, near Lichfield in Staffordshire, North East England.
Race conditions were perfect for the daredevils as they attempted to hurl themselves down a hill in home-made vehicles at speeds of up to 35mph.
After months of preparation the 'soapbox' vehicles were all vigorously scrutineered (only rule being is that they had working brakes and four wheels) and then driven down a steep village lane towards the local public house; The Meynell Arms.
The half-mile stretch of road was closed between Hoar Cross Hill and the centre of the village to allow the annual event to proceed. The event was held in aid of “Birmingham Children’s Hospital”; with organisers saying just over £75,000 (Seventy – five thousand pounds sterling) was raised.
The race was the brainchild of The MAD Club (Meynell Arms Drinkers) a pub in the village of Hoar Cross in Derbyshire. Regular locals decided to put together an annual event for both fun and the worthy cause of raising a few pennies for a local charity.
With names such as “Driller killers”, “Yesterdays News”, “The Guinness Guzzlers” and “Paddy Porkers”, the fancy dress-clad competitors lined up at the starting post at the top of a hill and let nature take its course. Get ready to trundle!
All the teams competed against the clock and as with any racing, the fastest time on the day won. The average time of the 1Ž2 mile course ranged from 1 minute plus to over 3 minutes.
Their attempts were displayed on large screens for the assembled spectators that gathered on the roadside and in the local pub car park.
The race was won by local lads Chris Wilson and Gary Robertson from Staffordshire, their time was clocked at just over the minute. For the winners, there is free beer for a week along with bragging rights.
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