Organisers of Tandragee‘s annual Soapbox Derby are gearing up for another year of hill racing antics… but not without a few bumps along the way.
Whilst the event is going ahead this year, albeit with a slightly new format, it will be held on the later date of August 5, 2023.
Chief organiser Tandragee RBL chairman Ronnie Thompson, said: “Due to circumstances beyond our control we very nearly didn’t have the event this year. With the help of our main sponsor, Tayto, we decided to take the plunge and go for it on 5th August, but without the support of Tayto and other local businesses we wouldn’t have been in a position to host it this year”.
The popular hill-descent event, which has previously been held in June, won’t be letting the pushed-back date slow things down.
Adrenaline junkies will be pleased to know that organisers have notched the course up a gear with each entrant running the full course – chicanes, jumps and all – on all three runs!
There is a total of two chicanes, four jumps and of course the dreaded – but crowd-pleasing – ‘kicker’ half way down.
All races are timed and those who avoid total wipeout will have their times totaled to give an overall position on the leader board. The overall winner will be the kart with the fastest time.
Approximately 25 outlandish, hand-engineered karts will take to the track in front of 8,000 barrier-hugging spectators.
Both machines and competitors will be inspected prior to each race.
A maximum of four crew members are permitted per team, including the driver, and teams are encouraged to get in the spirit of the event by dressing in team colours or costumes, advertising who they are and where they are from, plus any charity they represent.
Spectators should be advised that road closure will be in place from 5pm on race day with the first to push-off set for 6.30pm.
Hopeful entrants are advised to register their interest with Ronnie Thompson at stadiumdirector@portadownfc.com or phone him on 07833944789.
The entry fee is £40 per kart and team details, with the race entry fee made out to RBL Tandragee, should be sent to Ronnie Thompson, Tandragee Soapbox Derby, 1 Montague Park, Tandragee, County Armagh, BT62 2NU.
They should arrive by no later than July 29 to guarantee publication into the race programme.
