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Fast and furious soapbox rally making comeback

Henry Godfrey-Evans & Shivani Chaudhari
BBC News, Essex
Lauren Carter/BBC The back of a cart with BBC Essex branding written across it. Crowds are lining the street.Lauren Carter/BBC
Fans wanted a steeper hill than Colchester High Street for the event - which had hosted the spectacle previously

The organiser of a soapbox rally has announced the event will return to a city centre.

Teams have started getting their karts and costumes ready for the derby on 14 September in Colchester.

The event was postponed in 2024 over issues with the location - which was previously the High Street - but this year karts will race down the steeper road of North Hill.

"It's going to be so good - fast, furious, all the way down," said organiser Vinnie Geaves, from the local Business Improvement District team.

"I'm really excited."

Lauren Carter/BBC A grid of four different costumed racers, including minions, a nature theme, a chef and a vegetable patchLauren Carter/BBC
The organiser said "brakes are essential" this year, for what is a steeper hill

A soapbox rally involves competitors using the momentum of a hill instead of an engine.

Racing in-costume is essential, with 2023 seeing flying fish, chariots, dinosaurs and minions hurtle down Colchester High Street.

It was a spectacle involving 48 karts, which attracted 8,000 visitors.

The track this year is 230m-long (755ft).

Shivani Chaudhari/BBC A man and woman dressed as the popular cartoon characters from The Flintstones. They are both smiling at the camera and standing by a tree Shivani Chaudhari/BBC
Vinnie Geaves from the Business Improvement District and participant Katie Skingle spoke to BBC Essex about the upcoming event

"I've always wanted to see a soapbox in Colchester for the last 20 years," said participant Katie Skingle, speaking to BBC Essex presenter Akylah Rodriguez.

"So, when the BID brought one in two years ago, I was the first one to sign up, I was so excited and coming as Cruella de Vil with all of our Dalmatians, we were ready to put on a bit of a show for everybody."

Ms Skingle said her team have selected The Flintstones for their theme this year.

BBC Essex - the radio station - is the media partner for the event.

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