NYB 2008 Soap-Box Cart Rules.

Cart Design

1.      DELETED.

2.      DELETED.

3.      DELETED.

4.      DELETED.

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7.      Carts must not weigh more than 50kg. Driver’s weight is not included, however the total maximum combined weight of cart and driver must not exceed 150kg. No additional weights are to be added to the driver or cart. Don’t eat too many pies beforehand. Don’t bring something totally monstrous made of girders.

8.      DELETED

9.      There must be a minimum of three wheels and a maximum of four wheels – for three wheelers, no two wheels are to be in-line – still like this rule, it stays. Although Morgan quickly proved that he needed about seven wheels to stay upright, so he’s exempt from this one!

10.  Good brakes are essential and will be checked. Braking must operate on at least two wheels. DELETED! Somehow, please fit a device for slowing down. I don’t care how, but really, slowing down in the stream doesn’t count.

11.  DELETED

12.  Gravity propulsion only – i.e. no motors, no pedals If you think you can make it work without killing yourself – good luck.

13.  Seats must be securely bolted to the soapbox. But it would be far funnier if they weren’t!! As Stu discovered when it tried to invade his bottom!

14.  No glass or other materials that would shatter or cause injuries to drivers and spectators in the event of a crash can be used in the construction of the cart. Unless it’s a really really good crash and we all laugh. Again, this is one which Stu executed perfectly, leaving shards in his bottom!

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16.  Deleted

17.  Participants can expect to reach 30-40mph – think about it, that’s fast! What was I thinking? We’re going to be papping our pants at 10mph, I’ll have passed out due to fear by 30.

The Pilot

1.      All drivers must wear helmets with chin straps – mountain bike helmets, climbing helmets or race/motorbike helmets are all permitted. Goggles are advised.  Your Risk.

2.      All knees and arms are to be covered. Clothing should be heavy enough to prevent minor abrasions and grass burns occurring. Doesn’t apply, I want to return to work with monumental stories about my bravery at the weekend and scars to prove it.  Rich looked ace as The Stig and totally stunning in virgin-like white!

3.      No bare limbs will be allowed – unless they look good. Actually its Stu, Rich, Al and Ol in karts, its not going to be pretty whatever way we do it!

4.      It is preferred that you ride the cart in a seated position facing forward, - but Rich made me wet myself when he described his seat, so this ones gone too!

5.      The soapbox and its driver must demonstrate sufficient competence, mental stability and moral integrity to compete.  Never going to happen.

 

The Competition

1.      There are three courses planned – Firstly a slalom test to prove stability and safety, the third run of which will be timed; Secondly a high-speed timed run for which you will be allowed three attempts, again the third of which will be timed; and finally a stop-go test to check your vehicle's braking capability and the driver's agility exact details are to be finalised.

2.      Failure to complete any course will earn the entrant the same time as the slowest finisher, plus an additional five-second penalty.

3.      No push-starting, 'wheel tweaking' nor unsporting interference with a fellow competitor is allowed. In fact no interfering of any kind is allowed!

4.      Crashing is strictly prohibited, unless absolutely necessary or required for good comedic effect.

5.      No pushing of carts from the start will be allowed.

6.      The Starters decision is final.

7.      1^st, 2^nd (subject to a min. of 6 entries) and 3^rd (subject to a min. of 9 entries) prizes will be awarded for the fastest accumulated time over the three events and a further prize to the most popular cart as voted for by the spectators (the “ladies” prize!).

8.      No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from the publication of or compliance with these rules and / or regulations. This publication is in no way a guarantee against injury to team members, supporters or spectators.

Get to the bottom of “the steep field” without dieing – you win!!