Gosport team to enter Red Bull Soapbox race

WE'VE seen plenty of politicians on their metaphorical soapboxes during the election campaign, but this team will be speeding around on the wheeled variety in a national race.
From left, Russell Harding, Alex Alley, Paula Reid and Lisa HardingFrom left, Russell Harding, Alex Alley, Paula Reid and Lisa Harding
From left, Russell Harding, Alex Alley, Paula Reid and Lisa Harding

Lisa Harding, Russell Harding, Paula Reid and Alex Alley – all from Alverstoke, Gosport, have entered the Red Bull Soapbox race at Alexandra Palace.

They came up with the idea after a few drinks in their local pub, and say the idea snowballed from there.

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More than 4,000 teams entered their designs, with the team from Gosport making the final 70.

Their entry – called Wedding Belles – is coming along nicely, according to Lisa, and she said this was due in large part to the contributions of the local community.

Lisa said: ‘There has been a real sense of team spirit around this project.

‘We have had so many different people donate some of the different parts that we have needed along the way.

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‘GCS Steel donated the steel for the frame, Covers donated some timber and people from across Gosport came to us with some other supplies.’

The style of their soapbox is going to be a white, 1930s Rolls-Royce wedding car.

Before setting off down the hill at Alexandra Palace, the team must do a 20-second performance, which is worth a third of their total score.

The team will be performing a story of romance, where the bride chooses to run away with the vicar.

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Lisa explained: ‘Everything we have done, we have done to try and be different.

‘There are a lot of teams that enter the Red Bull Soapbox race. We just want to stand out from the crowd.

‘We do have a goal as a team that we would like to achieve, but it is a very simple one – if we can just get to the bottom of the track in one piece, that would be incredible.

‘However, chances are we may get to the end in three of four pieces instead, but that’s all part of the fun.’

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The team is still looking for a few bits and pieces to complete the build – most notably, a steering wheel.

Lisa added: ‘If anyone has one they could donate, or knows where we could go to find one, that would be great; we won’t get too far down the course otherwise!’

The Red Bull Soapbox race will be broadcast on the channel Dave later this year.

Anyone who would like to vote for team Wedding Belles should visit redbullsoapboxrace.com

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