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Warrington gets set for Krazy Races in Father's Day soapbox derby special

Warrington will host a thrilling soapbox derby through the town centre streets this summer, with competitors gearing up to put their best driving skills to the test. 

Brought to you by Warrington Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with Sarah Belcher Events Ltd, Krazy Races will see up to 40 teams build and race their own go-karts downhill, while tackling the track with chicanes, obstacles, water and more.

Whether it’s taking part for the sheer fun or to fundraise, each team will be entertaining crowds and competing to have the fastest soapbox kart. 

Amy Dawber, Warrington BID Manager, said: “This is a one-of-a-kind event for Warrington, we are very excited to bring Krazy Races to the town – and it’s free. It’s going to be a fun spectacle and we really hope crowds will cheer all the teams on in what’s going to be a fantastic day.”

Sarah Belcher, Founder of Krazy Races, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Krazy Races to Warrington this summer, and I am so excited to start working with as many amazing local businesses as possible. We can’t wait to see what the amazing people of Warrington come up with. 

“All the competitors have different reasons for taking part, and only the fastest 10 cars will make it through to the final, where they will battle to take home the winner's trophy.”

One such team has a special reason for competing, made more poignant as the race will take place on Father’s Day, Sunday June 16th. Couple James and Lisa Harrison lost their baby son Theordore last year when he died at just seven-days-old, while holidaying in Turkey.

James has entered his business Rhino Sheds, which he owns with Carl Buckley, into Krazy Races to not only honour his son but to also raise money for Sands charity, who have helped the family following the death of Theordore. 

James, 35, from Warrington, said: “It's about having a good day, having fun but also at the same time raising money for some great causes. We are all big fans of soapbox racing, but we’ve never done it before so the whole family is looking forward to it.

“Our kart is going to be a shed on wheels, made out of polystyrene with a car wrap printed to look like a shed, it should look fun going down the hill.”

Meanwhile, another team to take part in the event is Warrington business, Monia Cakes who specialise in handmade cakes and desserts. 

Mario Lee, manager of Monia Cakes and the son of baker, Monia, said: " I couldn't pass this opportunity and it's nice that Warrington is doing this, the more events we have like this the better."

Mario and friend Jay will be driving the kart which they are hoping will look like a real-life cake slice, specifically identical to one of their most popular, their 'Forest Moss' cake.

"Forest Moss, it's a spinach cake and we build our name on this cake, nobody has it, only we sell it, and a lot of our customers recognise this cake. By making a massive version of it, I'm sure our kart will go viral."

There’ll be a main winner’s trophy for first place but there’ll also be prizes for showmanship, innovation and best dressed. The soapbox is only half of the show, as each team will need to wow organisers with a 20-second performance before they launch themselves downhill.

The Krazy Races downhill soapbox derby will take place in Warrington town centre on June 16th between 10am and 5pm. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for any businesses wanting to support the event. For more information, visit the Krazy Races website. 

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma McGee .