May 19, 2003
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
JOHANNESBURG will be hosting Red Bull's free-to-watch, fun-filled competition, the Red Bull Box Cart Race, on 14 September. The event, along Jan Smuts Avenue near the Zoo Lake, will mark the first time the race has been held in Africa.
The race has in the past taken place in Austria, New Zealand, Italy, Belgium, Australia and England.
"The race is open to everyone with a desire to experience the thrills and spills of motor sport racing and capable of creating their own aerodynamic racing machine without an engine," said Arun Hozack, Red Bull brand manager.
Hozack added that only 100 teams, each comprising four members over the age of 16, can participate.
The previous races showed participants creating very funny and streamlined carts, spicing the competition with their extreme sense of humour. Maximum weight for the box cart (excluding the driver) should be 100kg - 3m in length, 1.5m width and 2.5m in height.
The race, said Hozack, is often known as "soapbox racing", so-called after youngsters came up with the idea of making racing carts by attaching wheels to the wooden crates that soap used to be delivered in.
"To enter the race, you don't need a driver's licence - just the passion and perseverance to see your project through to the end."
Entries will be judged on three criteria: creativity with great emphasis on design, material used, style, colour and originality; showmanship (narrow escapes and amazing race stunts); and finishing time - each box cart will be timed electronically from start to finish.
The 440-metre long, dual track race starts at the intersection of Jan Smuts Avenue and Westcliff Drive, down to Prince of Wales Way.
Hozack emphasised that the real test for the drivers during the race will be a crossover where the carts will be switching tracks at a hair-raising speed.
Besides the fast and intense races, one could also get an opportunity to rub shoulders with celebrities as Red Bull is planning on a celebrity-filled entertainment panel.
Only 100 teams can take part in the Red Bull box cart race
Other than having fun, there are prizes to be won. The first prize is a trip to Konigsee Bobsleigh Track in Austria or a choice of R45 000 in cash. The second prize would be a Sony Play Station 2 for each teammate or R12 000 and the third prize is a 4x4 weekend adventure for the whole team at a site recommended by Land Rover, or R8 000 cash.
To register for participation, call Red Bull hotline number 0860 700 600 or visit their website www.redbullboxcartrace.co.za. The closing date is 16 June. The successful 100 entrants will be informed by 30 June.
For more information visit the web site or contact Arun Hozack on 021-505-5698.
