| |
Home
Current Issue
Advertisers
How to Advertise
About Us
Issue Archive
Community Links |
|
Red Bull to Sponsor Oct. 18 Soapbox Race
Along Dolores Street
By Romanus Wolter
The Castro loves our fun and wacky events from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s wonderful fundraisers to the Chi-wa-wa days in the park to sing-along musicals at the Castro Theatre.
On Oct. 18, the Red Bull Soapbox Race presents a unique opportunity for residents to cheer on racing teams who have worked hard to express their creativity and awaken their inner daredevils.
The race will start at Dolores and 21st streets and head down Dolores street to the finish line at 19th Street. Judging is based on three criteria: speed, creativity and showmanship.
Representing the Castro are Nate Barsetti, Kevin Birchfield, Gregg Crosby, and Chris Hastings who will be racing the Thick and Thin Pizza racer. Named after the pizzeria inside the Lookout Bar (which Hastings owns), the blueprint for their racer reveals an extra-extra-large pie, with Hastings steering from the very middle of the car. The team had trouble finding construction space for their vehicle, but fortunately a friend is letting the crew assemble their race car in his motorcycle garage.
“This contest is a good excuse to roll out of control down a steep hill to a horde of screaming fans and surprised visitors,” said Hastings. “I heard about the event and thought it sounded like a blast.”
“I remember building my own soapbox racer with my dad when I was kid, it was my favorite time of the year!” said Castro resident Keith Myer.
First place winners at the race will win a trip including flight and hotel to a NASCAR race. Other prizes include an “ultimate driving day” at one of the nation’s most famous racetracks and a day of high-speed go-kart racing. Another team will also win the People’s Choice Award to be chosen by the crowd on race day.
Red Bull Soapbox events are run across the country and the world. The first race took place in Belgium in 2000, and has since been conducted in almost 30 countries. The first U.S. event was held in St. Louis in 2006 with two races in Seattle and Providence in 2007. Red Bull sponsored soapbox races in Cincinnati, Denver and Philadelphia this year as well.
The Red Bull Soapbox Race will be held Oct. 18 at Dolores Park. The pit opens at 11 a.m. with the first race scheduled for 1 p.m. The event is free. For more information, visit
redbullsoapboxusa.com.
.
|
