January 22, 2016 4.50 pm This story is over 98 months old

Daredevil soapbox racers to zoom through Lincoln village

Soapbox fun: Around 2,000 people are expected to attend an event this year which will see inventive adrenaline junkies shoot down a winding course in the village of Coleby.
Photo: Chris Walker

Around 2,000 people are expected to attend an event this year which will see inventive adrenaline junkies shoot down a winding course in the village of Coleby near Lincoln in their own modified soapboxes.

The Coleby Downhill challenge is returning for the second time on June 11 and 12 after the success of the first event in 2014, during which 12 soapboxes took part and £1,400 was raised for charity.

Photo: Chris Walker

Photo: Chris Walker

This year, over 30 soapboxes, sidecars and gravity bikes (bikes fuelled only by gravity) have signed up to put their speedsters to the test.

The course snakes down Coleby Hill, described in 2014 by racers as “one of the best in the country”. Racers even reached speeds of over 40 miles per hour.

Photo: Chris Walker

Photo: Chris Walker

Accompanied by family entertainment throughout the weekend, the ‘gravity bike’ class will form round 2 of the 2016 National Gravity Bike Championships.

Timed practice will take place on Saturday June 11, and continue throughout the day.

The Downhill Challenge starts at 10am on Sunday June 12, with results and presentations at 4pm (timings subject to change and will be confirmed nearer the event).

Organised by the Hykeham Lions Club and partners, in aid of local charities including LIVES, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Organiser Jeff Harwood said: “We are almost full for applications for people to take part, but people can visit our website for more details or follow us on Facebook.

“It’s a really fun day for racers and spectators. The best way to describe it is ‘Lincolnshire’s own wacky races’.

“In the past we have seen some great soapboxes, including a Doctor Who postbox. In 2014 we raised £1,400. As this years event is so much bigger we hope to exceed that amount.”