Pictures: Bideford Soapbox Derby is hailed the best so far

Thousands of people lined Grenville Street and the Quay on Sunday (July 7) to watch racers in their homemade carts take part in the annual Bideford Soapbox Derby.

A total of 40 teams in their crazy creations made up the exhilarating event, raising money for local charity ChemoHero.

Above: Thrills and spills galore at the popular Bideford Soapbox Derby. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Rebecca Edwards, event organiser from Out of This World Events, hailed the fourth year of the event as the best so far. She said: “It was a brilliant day and we’ve had lots of positive feedback about the event.

“It’s amazing to see not only the community coming along to support the day but we have had lots of people traveling from Plymouth, Bristol, and beyond to watch the racing.

“A big thank you to all the volunteers and everyone that helped put on the day, especially Steve Keeno, who helped clean the roads at the end of the event.”

As well as the soapbox derby, Bideford Quay was packed with local food and drink stalls to keep the crowds fed and watered with many choosing to enjoy the refreshments whilst watching the racing on the big screen outside Otters Cafe. 

Above: Accidents will happen, but no contestants were harmed in the soapbox mayhem! Credit: Graham Hobbs

Rebecca continued: “Among the 40 teams taking part, we had a Tardis, the Flinstone’s car, an elephant, the Minions, a shark, a cider wagon, the A-Team van and loads more. The ingenuity of those taking part has to be seen to be believed.

“The crowds loved it and gave the teams loads of support. We haven’t had the final fundraising amounts in yet for each team, but we’ll have all collectively raised more than £20,000 for ChemoHero.”

Heavy rain leading up to the midday start thankfully cleared before the competitors began racing, but it did cause problems for the video livestream to YouTube. The racing is now available to view on the Bideford Soapbox Derby channel.

The title for the fastest Soapbox went to AW Hockin in their little lorry with Dirty Dogs coming a close second and Formula Footlong in third.

Above: Fastest winners AW Hockin. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Marwood Scouts won the best presented Soapbox with Dasterdly Daleks and Earth & Heaven Beackon Wyrd following on. The most fundraising so far has come from Grip & Rip, Bradprix and Formula Footlong/Peak Online. 

Above: The Bradprix team from Braddicks Holidays were among those to raise the most sponsorship. Credit Graham Hobbs

This year’s Soapbox was a plastic free event supported by Plastic Free North Devon. No single use plastic bottles were sold at the event and all traders used non plastic trays, cups, and lids. There was also a rent a cup for the day scheme available as well as a free water station.

Next year’s event is on July 6, 2025.

***** See more pictures from Bideford photographer Graham Hobbs in our gallery above *****