Daredevils will be speeding down Brackley’s High Street once again later this month for the town’s Soapbox Derby.
This year, the event is being held on June 16 and soapbox aces have been working hard on their latest creations in a bid to become the kings or queens of speed.
Last year’s event had to be postponed until September due to the poor weather, so hopes are high the sun will shine on this year’s event.
Around 30 carts will be taking to the road for the event, which is raising money for Katharine House Hospice.
Carts will take to the course, which runs from the traffic lights on Buckingham Road to the Market Place car park, at around 2pm.
The race is open is open to two classes, under 15s and adults 15 and over. Trophies and prizes will be awarded for the fastest three in each class and a separate trophy will be presented to the soapbox judged to be the best turned out cart.
Awards this year will be presented by local motor racing legend Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams.
The Brackley resident’s racing career started in 1957 and he has driven in more than 1,500 races and rallies.
He was the first person ever to win an international rally in a Cooper S in 1964 and achieved a win in his first Formula 3 race at Silverstone three years later.
Soapbox committee chairman, Stuart Kirkwood, said they had received entries from around the country including Wales and Hampshire.
He said: “For the first time, we will have a digital time display on the finish line. There will be other activities including classic racing cars and motorbikes.
“The Soapbox Derby has become a fixed annual event and is popular.
“If the weather is good, we should get well over 1,000 people come along.”
There will also be a chance to win a raffle prize of an under 15 drive in a soapbox on behalf of the charity.
Tickets to enter the draw will be available from the Brackley Soapbox stand at Brackley Town Carnival tomorrow, Saturday.
Snacks, drinks and other attractions will be taking place in the Market Square during the day.
Enthusiastic local soapbox builders are being urged to get their entries in as soon as possible.
Further information including entry forms can be found on the soapbox website www.brackleysoapbox.org or by email to info@brackleysoapbox.org.
Last year, Doug Peel Yates came first in the senior class, followed by Peter Welland and Slim Bourgood. The under 15s category was won by Curtis Bass Twitchell, followed by Alexander Littlewood, with Jack Chambers Young in third place.
The best prepared cart was won by Damax Spice, with best novelty cart won by Pepparami Slice.