44 pictures from the brilliant 2019 Duxford Soapbox Derby
The residents of Duxford turned out to witness the multi-wheeled fun at the weekend for the seventh annual Duxford Soapbox Derby on Sunday September 1.
The family-friendly event, which to date has raised well over £51,600 for Cancer Research UK, is a chaotic dash around the village by would-be grand prix drivers racing in anything from a wheelbarrow to an old iron bath.
The 1.04-mile course goes via Moorfield Road, St John's Street, Hunts Road, Rectory Road and round past the church and up past Graystones, and up St Peter’s Street to the finish at The Plough public house.
The adults race was won by Hexcel Racers, driven by Duane Webb and Marco Arcidiacono, in a course record time of seven minutes, 51 seconds, while in second place was Phill Hill’s Army, driven by Nick Hill and Scott Linsdell, in a time of eight minutes 56 seconds. Third place went to The Dutch Duo, driven by Daan Somers and Paul Zwekars in 11 minutes 25 seconds.
The fancy dress prize was won by Back to the Barleycorn, driven by David Brown and Ian Brown, and the constructors trophy went to D-Day Dashing, driven by Jacob Burrows and Will Burrows. The over-50s cup went to Pop Gun, driven by Gary Taylor and Zoe Taylor.
In the children’s races, the four-to-seven-year-olds race was won by Team Pika Pryke, driven by Samuel Pryke and Jacob Pryke, the eight-to-11-year-olds race was won by The Simpsons, driven by Sebastian Jeffery and Domenic Hines, and the 12-to-15-year-olds race was won by the Air Cadets. The children’s fancy dress was won by the Battle Bus, driven by Daisy Evetts and Lola Gibson.
Liz Pryke, mother of the Samuel and Jacob, said: “My sons’ granny, my mum, passed away four years ago from bowel cancer, so because it was for Cancer Research UK and we live in Duxford, the boys wanted to take part. It’s a charity close to our hearts, so we set up an extra fundraising page and friends and family have very kindly donated - and, I think with Gift Aid, we’re up to nearly £200.”
Graeme Spence, a member of the organising committee and the master of ceremonies at the derby, said that it was an "amazing day," adding that he hopes the organisers will find out the total amount of money raised for Cancer Research UK next week once all the counting's been done.
One participant was Nick Hill, the son of Phill Hill, who was the inspiration for the race. “Phill passed away in 2013, and a couple of months later we had the race up and running with his wife Pam's agreement," said Graeme. "Phil was a great follower of motor racing, so that was a way to remember him, by having a soapbox race.”
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