Soapbox derby races back into town

8 hours ago

Hannah MitchellNorth East and Cumbria

First-place team The Desert Rats said winning was 'the icing on the cake'

Barrow BID A soapbox car being driven through foam by a person in a motorsports helmet with a visor. The car is painted brightly and reads 'The Desert Rats' on the front. People are standing behind metal crash barriers watching the car drive past. — First-place team The Desert Rats said winning was 'the icing on the cake'

The winners of a town's annual soapbox derby say coming first was "the icing on the cake".

Businesses in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, wheeled their way through the town on Saturday in homemade, human-powered karts.

The event attracted a record number of teams who took on the 340m (1,115ft) track that runs from Dalton Road to the Townhouse.

Spectators lined the streets to watch racers navigate obstacles such as ramps, straw bale chicanes and foam chutes.

The event attracted both new and returning teams

Barrow BID A person drives a soapbox derby car that has been painted to look like a police car down a large wooden ramp. At either side of the ramp are straw bales and people stand at the top of the ramp watching the racer. Crowds line the streets watching the kart go past. — The event attracted both new and returning teams

Roy Mowbray of Furness Plastics, whose team The Desert Rats took first place, said that winning was "the icing on the cake".

"Regardless of which team won we loved seeing everyone work together to make a great event.

"We were happy to be able to help out fellow team Devil's Haircut Racing and the other teams get their karts up the ramp.

"It was great to see so many people in the town centre cheering everyone on!"

The 'Construction Zone' included diversions and construction worker mannequins

Barrow BID A mannequin wearing construction workers clothing stands in front of a 'road closed' sign, as part of the racing track at Barrow soapbox derby. — The 'Construction Zone' included diversions and construction worker mannequins

Racers headed to the starting line from 10:00 BST, rolling down the 5m high ramp and setting their first time of the day.

Each team took multiple runs throughout the day, aiming to achieve the fastest time.

The route included a number of themed zones containing obstacles, including the "Construction Zone" where racers encountered construction worker mannequins and diversions.

A racer rolls through 'The Cattle Rattle' section of the course

Barrow BID A soapbox derby driver crosses a recreation of a cattle grid on a racing course through Barrow town centre. Either side of the track there are straw bales and inflatable cows. — A racer rolls through 'The Cattle Rattle' section of the course

Paul Hodgson, Barrow BID Manager, said the event was "one of our biggest events in the calendar".

"This year's race has seen 18 teams compete, one of our biggest numbers of teams yet, and we're delighted to welcome new and returning teams.

"We're always looking to make the race even bigger and better, adding new obstacles each year - we don't want to make it too easy for our returning teams after all!

"Seeing the town centre full of people enjoying the day and using our local businesses is what Barrow BID is about - celebrating the very best of Barrow town centre and having a great day out with the family!"

Teams also battled for titles including 'Joker of the Day' and 'Most Innovative Kart'

Barrow BID A man in a purple t-shirt pushed a purple painted kart decorated with yellow sunflowers through the street in Barrow. — Teams also battled for titles including 'Joker of the Day' and 'Most Innovative Kart'

The day wasn't without its drama, as last year's winning team The Wet Room suffered a flat tyre on their first run down the ramp. The wheel was quickly replaced with a wheelbarrow wheel, and the team continued to race.

Teams also battled for titles including "Joker of the Day", won by BAE Systems team Gru's Gang and "Most Innovative Kart", which was claimed by Restoration Rangers.

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