Everything you need to know about Hunstanton Soap Box Derby this Sunday
The Hunstanton Soap Box Derby makes its grand return tomorrow - here is everything you need to know…
On Sunday, crowds will flock to the area to watch the event organised by West Norfolk Council - which this year sees 58 teams registered to race.
Karts will be on display on The Green from 9.30am, with the first race kicking off at 11.15am from near the town hall, and will then see participants hopping over a new improved ramp and heading down towards the finish line, overlooking the sea, on Beach Terrace Road.
There are teams travelling from all over the east of England to race, as well as local teams entering from Hunstanton, Lynn, Heacham, Downham, Tilney All Saints, West Walton, and Walpole.
There are also teams travelling to take part from Bedford, Clacton-on-sea, Hinckley, Hitchin, Huntingdon, March, Peterborough, Spalding, and Wisbech.
WHO ARE THE TEAMS?
Three fire service teams have entered this year - Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and Norfolk - so there may be a bit of a friendly rivalry.
Norfolk Police cadets are taking part in the under 16s category, while a new soap box that has been built by local charity Open Road will be in action in the adult category.
Gravitron One and Two is built by Dave Curtis from Heacham, who will be involved in the veterans category. He’s entered every event since the council reintroduced it in 2017.
He will be 78 when he races this weekend, but says age is only a number and he has “more tricks” up his sleeve.
Team Eggy Going to Sea, who raced for the first time last year, will be coming back this year for more action in the hope of raising money for Cancer Research UK.
Another participant is The Running Nose, a team from Lynn, who said on their application: “We have decided to create a giant nose out of paper mache, we will be dressed as bogies.
“I may be a giant face running after my nose. We just wanted to bring some humour to the day.”
Radiology is a team from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lynn. They said: “Building the kart is a way of us employees of QEH radiology to socialise outside of work and team build together. We will hopefully resemble a CT scanner.”
The Purfleet Trust is a team from British Sugar who will be seen racing down the street on Sunday. They say in their application: “We are entering the soap box derby to support the awareness and raise funds for a charity that we partner with which is The Purfleet Trust.
“British Sugar’s team of apprentices has worked tirelessly to design and build their own soapbox cart, and they’ll be racing on the big day.”
COUNCILLORS EXCITED
Cllr Bal Anota, the borough council’s cabinet member for events and public open space, said: “This event draws a huge crowd to Hunstanton to watch the creatively built handmade karts race down the street towards the sea.
“Unlike Formula One where the fans are some distance away from the pits and cars, our spectators can get up close to view these unique vehicles before the racing begins.
“Although there are no engines involved in these karts, the combination of a big push to start and a downhill course will generate some fast racing.
“I would like to thank the team from the borough council who will turn Hunstanton into a street racing circuit.
“I wish the competing teams all the very best and hope everyone enjoys the event. I urge spectators to get to the track early to get a good place to watch all the action.”
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
When all the teams have completed their first run, at about 1pm, there will be live music on The Green from Vex.
Karts will then start their second run down the track from 2pm.
West Norfolk mayor Cllr Paul Bland, will wave the chequered flag when the last kart goes through the finish line at roughly 4pm.
Vex will return to perform a second set on the Green that will be followed by trophies being awarded to the winners by the borough mayor, the mayor of Hunstanton Cllr Michael Ruston, and Cllr Anota.
Roads start being closed in Hunstanton from 7am on Sunday.
Karts arrive from 9am and will be available for spectators to view on The Green, racing starts at 11:15am, round one of racing finishes at 1pm, round two starts at 2pm, round two finishes at 4pm and live music starts, and winners are presented with their awards at 4:30pm.
Trophies will be awarded in three categories, by driver age:
• Under 13
• Under 16
• Adults 16-49
• Over 50s
Teams finishing first, second, and third in each category will receive awards.
A Concours d’Elegance award will be made to the best-looking kart. The champions trophy will be the last awarded to the team with the overall fastest time.
