Published: Wednesday, 29th March 2023
Unique handmade karts will be racing down the street when the Hunstanton Soap Box Derby returns this Sunday, 2 April 2023, in a free-to-watch event organised by the borough council.
Karts will be displayed on The Green from 10am. Martin Chisholm, Assistant Director Operations and Commercial at the borough council, said:
“Unlike Formula One where the fans are some distance away from the pits and cars, our spectators can get up close to view these unique vehicles before the racing begins.
“Although there are no engines involved in these karts, the combination of a push start and downhill course will generate some rapid racing. I would like to thank the team from the borough council who will turn Hunstanton into a street racing circuit. I wish the competing teams all the best and hope everyone enjoys the event.”
Before starting his commentary duties Simon Rowe, from Radio West Norfolk, will interview teams on The Green and will also have the official Soap Box selfie board. Teams and spectators are being encouraged to take their picture with the selfie board, upload it to social media and tag in #HunstantonSoapBox. Four selfie social pictures will be picked at random to win a DAB digital radio.
Racing starts at 11:30am, around 40 teams from across the country will get their first run of the course which sets off near the town hall, up on Greevegate, hops over a new improved ramp and heads down towards the finish line, overlooking the sea, on Beach Terrace Road.
When all the teams have completed their first run, at approximately 1:15pm, there’ll be live music on The Green from Vex.
Karts will then start their second run down the track from 2pm.
The Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr Lesley Bambridge will wave the chequered flag when the last kart goes through the finish line at roughly 4pm. Vex will return to perform a second set on the Green that will be followed by the borough Mayor and Mayor of Hunstanton, Cllr Maureen Howard awarding trophies to the winners.
This year marks 70 years since the first Soap Box Derby was held in Hunstanton. In 1953 the event took place down the access road to the North Prom. It continued into the 1970s and then faded out. The borough council re-introduced the event in 2017.
Trophies will be awarded in the three categories, by driver age:
- under 16
- adults 16+
- over 65s
Teams finishing first, second and third in each category will receive awards.
A Concours d’Elegance award will be made to the best looking/most outstanding kart. The Champions Trophy will be the last awarded to the team with the overall fastest time.
The best times, and finishing positions for all teams, will be posted on borough council social media accounts and published on west-norfolk.gov.uk/soapboxderby on Monday.
People planning to attend the event are advised to monitor the council's social media channels for up-to-date information, any changes to arrangements, or look for #HunstantonSoapBox.
Watch highlights of the 2019 Hunstanton Soap Box Derby below:
Highlights of the 2018 Hunstanton Soap Box Derby below: