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Pulses racing: Soapbox drivers compete in Red Bull's silliest event

A Heinz beans inspired soapbox takes on the downhill in London on Sunday - Jeff Gilbert Photography www.jeffgilbert.co.uk
A Heinz beans inspired soapbox takes on the downhill in London on Sunday - Jeff Gilbert Photography www.jeffgilbert.co.uk

Amateur racers from around the world have donned wacky costumes to take part in Red Bull's Soapbox Race.

Thousands of spectators descended on Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday for the annual event.

Spectactors descended on Alexandra Palace in north London on Sunday to watch the downhill sprint - Jonathan Brady
Spectactors descended on Alexandra Palace in north London on Sunday to watch the downhill sprint - Jonathan Brady

Around 70 teams of amateur drivers and crews were tasked with creating homemade, non-motorised soapboxes to race on the steep downhill course.

One team, called Rookie Duckies, travelled from Lancashire to take part in the race for the first time with their soapbox called Quack-In-A-Box, with team members dressed up as a duck and a huge egg.

Teams of amateur drivers and crews were tasked with creating homemade, non-motorised soapboxes for the race - Rick Findler / Story Picture Agency
Teams of amateur drivers and crews were tasked with creating homemade, non-motorised soapboxes for the race - Rick Findler / Story Picture Agency

Melanie Heyworth, Rookie Duckies pilot, said: "We haven't a clue what we're doing but we're here for the laughs.

"We wanted a design that would make people smile, so general silliness, over-the-top costumes and lots of colour were our main objectives."

One driver even took on the race barefoot... - Jeff Gilbert Photography www.jeffgilbert.co.uk
One driver even took on the race barefoot... - Jeff Gilbert Photography www.jeffgilbert.co.uk

Each team consisted of four people - which included one driver, one co-driver and two pit crew.

Many of the crews were inspired by their favourite TV shows and fictional characters from films including Top Gun, Harry Potter and Ghostbusters.

Some entries were inspired by their favourite TV show or film - Jeff Gilbert Photography www.jeffgilbert.co.uk
Some entries were inspired by their favourite TV show or film - Jeff Gilbert Photography www.jeffgilbert.co.uk

One team called The Handsome Homers included a large doughnut on their bright pink soapbox, called the Pink Lightning, inspired by The Simpsons.

Another team called Rebel Alliance, who are from Sherfield on Loddon, Hampshire, said they had been preparing their Star Wars-themed soapbox since 2018.