As the website and logo for the Hitchin Soapbox Derby go live, Hitchin Nub News caught up with one of the organisers, Matt Bean, to check in on how planning is going for the event.

Matt spoke of how the event is "feverishly anticipated" and that from the organisers perspective "it's all systems go". A month after initial testing and the announcement of the event interest has been overwhelming with an unprecedented number of comments and 87,000 impressions to the original news over the course of a few days.

Now is the time for people who are keen to take part to think about applying.

There will be a limit of 50 teams comprised of 4 people and a driver. The organisers welcome commercial (£250 entry) as well as local community groups (£150 entry) to put their names into that hat. They are also still on the lookout for sponsors keen to "be part of Hitchin history" for the first ever race.

On the day (Sunday 21^st September, 10am-5pn) there promises to be a LOT of attempts on the course, with each team getting two runs and the fastest ten teams having a third before a winner is declared.

Ahead of the April 30^th deadline potential entrants need to give serious consideration to sketches of their soapbox racer as well as a commitment to turning the drawings into reality.

Matt spoke of how "190 people have registered their interest on the website already to take on a traversing of Windmill Hill that will include corners, a chicane as well as a camber at the finish. It will mix jeopardy, fun and excitement".

Over two thousand spectators are expected for the event which will is planned to be an annual fixture in the Hitchin calendar. Street food and drink will be available around the perimeter of the course and famous Soapbox guest stars may be present for the day and involved in the judging panel. 

advertisement