{"id":678,"date":"2024-06-13T09:50:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T08:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mccs-journalism.gold.ac.uk\/wp\/odd-one-out\/?p=678"},"modified":"2024-06-14T12:36:21","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T11:36:21","slug":"the-thrills-and-spills-of-soapbox-racing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mccs-journalism.gold.ac.uk\/wp\/odd-one-out\/the-thrills-and-spills-of-soapbox-racing\/","title":{"rendered":"The thrills and spills of soapbox racing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t take any courage to fall down a hill,\u201d says Josh, 32, the driver for Grimwood\u2019s Garage as they make their final modifications before their timed run at the Bradford Soapbox Race. Instead of running on petrol, their fuel is \u201ca bit of fear and a massive, massive drink\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soapbox racing is the purest form of racing on four wheels. There is no engine, no complicated electrics or ABS \u2013 it is just you and the machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a very different world than that of Formula One. The budget isn\u2019t in the millions of pounds, because the homemade soapbox carts are fashioned from bikes and parts destined for the scrap yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 1000 horsepower engines are swapped for a great big shove. And the drivers don\u2019t need to endure mile after mile of pedal to the metal action either \u2013 they don\u2019t even need a driving license. Their cart just needs to make it down the hill and across the finish line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only requirements are a Soapbox driver and their four team members, a \u00a310 insurance policy and a little bit of madness \u2013 \u201cIt\u2019s the easiest job in the world\u201d. The pit crew team need to know how to fix an inevitable puncture and be willing to push the cart back to the top of the hill, ready for another run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few cans and a hastily consumed meal deal later, Josh and his cart make the climb up the 14-foot ramp that looms at the top of the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dazzling bank holiday sun above Bradford illuminates the task ahead for Josh and the other 19 teams: a winding, cobbled course lined with a single row of hay bales to protect the 20,000 spectators desperate to see some high-energy racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After some brief checks, the customary thumbs up are delivered between the driver and the crew. Five seconds later, the lights are out, and away Josh goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Yellow Arrow flies down the track around the Kirkgate bend and past the Greggs, before rounding the final corner across the finish line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe’re all just big kids that should have grown up by now \u2013 at 57 I really should have\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Both the driver and the city of Bradford wait for the time to be revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

33.038 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tumultuous cheer staggers its way back up the course and to the pit lane. But is it enough to secure a place on the podium?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their closest rival is a team that are the favourites coming into the competition. Not only does the team \u201cBatman and the Batmobile, Innit!\u201d have an obvious name, but they also have a driver who knows a thing or two about soapbox racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stuart, 57, isn\u2019t just a driver conveniently dressed as Batman \u2014 he lives and breathes soapbox racing. From watching from the sidelines to building soapboxes and now driving them, he\u2019s done it all and he\u2019s won a lot too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Mighty Atom flying round the Kirklees Bend. Picture: Harry Merrell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stuart\u2019s first memory of the sport was at a competition in Rotherham organised by the Bluebell Wood Children\u2019s Hospice. He says, \u201cI had a great day watching it, but all my family \u2026 were saying again and again that I could build one of those \u2013 so I did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI got two old kids\u2019 bikes, some bits of scrap metal and got cracking. That was how the Batmobile was born,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the cart\u2019s first outing, Stuart not only made the podium, but he also raised over \u00a3300 for charity; his passion for the sport became clear \u2013 \u201cI was hooked\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how would the Batmobile fair on the Bradford bends?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before venturing out onto the track, the pits are a hubbub of activity with strategies being devised and straws being drawn for the role of pushing the cart back up the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are no plans to crash,\u201d said Stuart confidently as he suits up into his Dark Knight attire. \u201cThe first corner is the biggest worry because it\u2019s quite slippery. Just as long as we make it past that, it should be a good fast run.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s the curse of the commentator or simply speaking too soon, you can imagine what happened as soon as the first corner comes into view\u2026crash!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brief visit to the hay bales renders the Batmobile immobile, with the rear left tyre, now at a right angle, taking the brunt of the impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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