Record crowds at soap box race
A RECORD crowd turned out in Hinckley to cheer on Batmobiles, ambulances and racing unicorns for the Hinckley BID Soap Box Derby.
This year’s event, held on Sunday, once again proved a real winner with the 38 teams who entered and a record crowd of 10,000 spectators who came from all over the Midlands and beyond.
One lady, from South Carolina in America, came up to Hinckley just for the day.
Held on Castle Street, speeds of up to 35pmh were recorded by the carefully crafted machines who did battle for the time-trial annual trophies.
With categories including Senior and Junior, Professional and Amateur, Novelty and Best Turned Out Soap Box & Crew, the entries this year surpassed all expectations.
This year’s fastest driver in the senior category (age 18 and over) went to Acceleramus, with racer Richard Burton notching up an impressive time of 20.3 seconds, which also won them the Overall Fastest Team.
Second and third place went to Dirty Truckers and Team Season respectively.
The Fastest Junior Driver went to Trinity Players, with driver Pete Bradley recording a 21.1 second lap. Second and third place went to The MGs who who the Overall Fastest Team in the Junior category and Red 5.
Special awards went to #islastones for the Best Novelty Soap Box, a rainbow-coloured unicorn creation, and the West Leicestershire Ambulance First Responders, who won for the Best Turned Out Soap Box and Crew.
Meanwhile, Red 5 won the Most Enthusiastic Junior Racer category and Hinckley District Past and Present / Fosse 107 Radio won Best Amateur Soap Box.
Organisers Steve Wegerif and Martina Smullen of Hinckley BID said: “Once again the weather was perfect for our brave entrants to push their vehicles to the limit – our thanks to all who entered and to the many volunteers who assisted us.”
Steve added: “Our thanks to all the businesses in Hinckley town centre – their financial contribution to the BID enables these huge events to take place and allow us to showcase the very best of Hinckley.”