It's all downhill from here: Red Bull announces U.S. Soap Box Race
Not content with sponsoring a NASCAR Nextel Cup team, and American Formula 1 racer Scott Speed, Red Bull is bringing its own brand of non-motorized auto racing to the U.S., and they're looking for racers!
The Red Bull Soap Box Race happens on the streets of St. Louis' Forest Park October 28. Unlike most gravity-powered events, the Red Bull race follows a drag racing-like single elimination, bracketed duel format, with two racers fighting it out side-by-side down the course. The racers get a power boost at the start, too, in the form of a hefty push from their crew of four "mechanics."
Red Bull is looking for fifty teams, who will be scored not only on speed, but also on creativity and showmanship. If you're looking for design ideas, check out photos from some of Red Bull's previous gravity races in Austria, England (pictured above), Sweden, Czech Republic, Australia, Italy, Finland, Ireland, Germany and
South Africa.
Entry details and rules (there aren't many) can be found here. Now get out there and make Autoblog proud!
[Source: Red Bull North America]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
iQuack 4:57PM (7/07/2006)
The pictured racer was no doubt influenced by this:
http://www.buickclub.no/Buick_1950.jpg
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BCM 5:22PM (7/07/2006)
It's too bad the registration deadline is just before the academic year starts. Of the many fine colleges and universities local to St. Louis, Washington University's School of Engineering is literally almost across the street from Forest Park. I hope students still in town for the summer hear about this and alert their friends by email.
It would be great if this became an annual attraction like the Great Forest Park Balloon Race.
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dc 6:12PM (7/07/2006)
Holy hell, I predict a 1, 2, 3 Carnegie Mellon finish. CMU students have been perfecting buggies for over 80 years.
Examples: http://www.tcpulse.com/2005/04/15/carnival05/buggy1/
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PC Load Letter 10:47AM (9/12/2006)
Yesterday was the day that all the racers were supposed to be notified of acceptance. The day came and went without a peep on the phone or email we supplied with our application. I'm assuming that means we're OUT. The question is, who is in? Any other Red Bull Soap Box applicants out there that either found out they are in our have yet to hear?
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fat tony 5:22PM (9/28/2006)
we will be racing. we just found out yesterday, red bull selected 6 more collegiate teams to go along with their 35 teams already picked
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gravity kills 2:14AM (10/02/2006)
We're in -- Red Bull notified us on September 11th that our team application was selected among the first group of 35. More than 500 team applications from all over North America were received for this first time ever U.S. event. Race details, team profiles and previous race photos (including an example of the starting ramp that will be used in Forest Park) can be viewed at the official race website: http://redbullsoapboxstlouis.com. The ramp rises 40 feet above the ground and will launch racers two at a time down a 1/3 mile track that includes a tight right turn halfway down. Also, safer & more modern barriers will line the route, replacing the hundreds of hay bales that were used at past races in other countries. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and heats will run throughout the afternoon. Arrive at the park early though, since Red Bull is bracing for attendance in the tens of thousands from around the country. Food & drink will be available for purchase from vendors. Visit pit row before the opening ceremony to check out the teams and view our hand built, gravity powered entries. Bring the family, and don't forget your camera.
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