Filey to host first ever east coast Super Soapbox Challenge

It's taking place on Sunday 5th September.

Author: Benjamin FearnPublished 18th Jun 2021

The Yorkshire Coast Super Soapbox Challenge will see non-motorised soapbox carts, combined with gravity and nerves of steel from the drivers, hurtle along a downhill course.

Scarborough Borough Council says: "With huge screens on the Ravine Road route, spectators won’t miss any of the free to watch action, including up-to-the-minute commentary, the latest scores and much more.

"As well as the racing, there will a funfair, live music and plenty of food and drink stands".

Teams of five people are required to take part in the event. Four team members must be 16 years old or over and the fifth person, who will be the driver of the soapbox, must be 21 years old or above.

Fun and themed soapboxes are encouraged and there will be seven prizes available to the winners of the various categories as well as medals for all entrants.

Adventurous types who want to have a go at building a winning soapbox and enter a team to take part in the event can register online at supersoapboxchallenge.co.uk/filey

Cllr Jim Grieve, Scarborough Borough Council Cabinet Member for Quality of Life said: "Getting the Super Soapbox Challenge is a real coup for Filey and will be a fantastic event not to be missed.

"Anyone who has seen similar soapbox challenges on the television before or attended a live event in the past, will know how popular this type of racing is. It really does bring local communities together and attracts people from further afield who are then likely to explore and spend money in the host town during their visit.

"In line with our tourism strategy, we have committed to developing a bigger, year round events programme to benefit the whole borough. We are thrilled that the Super Soapbox Challenge in Filey is the latest addition to the calendar."

Andrew Pearson, The Super Soapbox Challenge Company Event Marketing Director, said: "As a professional organiser of soapbox events, we are delighted that Scarborough Borough Council has agreed to Filey hosting this exciting event as the first annual Super Soapbox Challenge on the east coast.

"The course down Ravine Road will be fast and furious and we are looking forward to a fun-packed day for all the teams, their supporters and spectators."

Cllr Jacqui Houlden-Banks, Mayor of Filey, said: "Filey is delighted to welcome the Super Soapbox challenge to our beautiful town in September and we hope it will become a yearly event.

"To be hosting the first event of its kind on the east coast, using our natural ravine as a race course, ending with a beach finish, is very exciting."