Aylesbury Town Council’s Father’s Day favourite, Soapbox Derby, wowed crowds on Sunday 18 June.
The free-to-attend annual event gives friends, families and colleagues the chance to race down Whitehill Park, Aylesbury in homemade, gravity powered karts.
Spectators gave all race participants a fantastic reception as 16 teams took on three heats. Teams created a fantastic array of designs including a Mario kart, 1960s style campervan and a Thunderbird’s FAB 1. There were two seven-year-old drivers in the race this year, from BORG 4×4 and the Happy Campers.
The combined finishing times determined the fastest teams in the Senior and Junior categories. Medals and trophies were awarded by Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Steven Lambert. The predicted rain held off all day until the awards ceremony but it didn’t dampen the spirits of competitors who took their places to the podium and the spectators who have encouraged racers throughout the day.
The top three karts in the Senior category were: (1st) Team C5OAPBOX – 33.22 seconds, (2nd) Florence and the Mechanics – 44.41 seconds and (3rd) FAB1 – 45.27 seconds
The top three karts in the Junior category were: (1st) Inferno Racing Team – 34.4 seconds, (2nd) Rocket Riders- 38 seconds and (3rd) – Aylesbury Wombles – 46 seconds
The awards for Best Looking Kart were voted for by spectators. (1st) Mario Time (2nd) Aylesbury Wombles and (3rd) Bug At Tea
New for 2023, the Best Team Spirit award, sponsored by Michael Anthony Estate Agents, was given to Aylesbury Wombles.
Families were entertained by DJ Dan Blaze with children and adults having the opportunity to participate in the first Lego Soapbox Derby Championships. The winner was Team Robin Reliant.
There was plenty more to see and do, drumming with Multiple Music, face painting by Zoomania, games and activities from the Mayor’s Charities Age UK and Youth Concern, bubbles with MJ Productions, plenty of delicious food from local food vendors and Hand Talking created a quiet space for those who would like a moment of calm during the popular event, as well as signing the awards.
The Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Steven Lambert, said: “It was a joy to see the town’s community spirit in Whitehill Park this Father’s Day. There were so many fantastic soapboxes and it was a pleasure to meet everyone taking part as I waved the flag to kickstart each heat. Free events like these run by Aylesbury Town Council really bring Aylesbury families – young and old – together creating lifelong memories. A huge thank you to everyone for coming down to cheer on all the karts. Thank you also to our event sponsors, Michael Anthony Estate Agents, and our event supporters Marie Biswell from Hand Talking for BSL signing and quiet zone, BORG 4×4, HW Drums, Unbound Theatre, Zoomania and Discover Bucks Museum.”