Wacky Races

September 2, 2011

Tags: Community

Anyone who has looked at our Facebook page recently may have noticed some photos of a curious contraption that’s been taking shape in our warehouse over last few weeks. That contraption is a bus (a Filipino-style Jeepney bus no less) and it will be our entry into this year’s Cookham Dean Gravity Grand Prix.

The picturesque Berkshire village will be closing off its main road and allowing all manner of wannabe Penelope Pitstops, Anthill Mobs and Dick Dastardlys to hurtle downhill through it at varying degrees of speed, control and inelegance. The racecourse is 700m long with a drop of 32m and karts are expected to reach between 30 to 40mph.

The building of the bus has been nothing short of a labour of love. Paul, our warehouse manager has spent many hours after work filling the air with various bashing, clanging and banging noises (punctuated with the occasional cuss-word) to build the frame and bodywork. It has been a group effort though and our artwork team have also been channeling their excess creativity into decorating it with crazy paintwork, music, trinkets and other assorted tat.

Last weekend ‘The Manila Thrilla’, as she has been christened was checked over by the judges ahead of the race. She also met the competition, including an Angry Birds birdbox, a pirate ship, a snail and a souped-up wheelie bin. If you’ve ever wondered which of those would be fastest in a race, now is your chance to find out. The brave/foolhardy onboard crew will be the Artwork Team pairing of David Yeung at the wheel and Elizabeth Gilson in the passenger seat.

The event is run to raise money for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance and you can visit our donations page at www.justgiving.com/alpha-beatz.

The race takes place next Sunday, 11th September. The time trials commence at 1.30pm from the junction of Church Road and Spring Lane to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Cookham Dean.

All spectators/cheerleaders would be warmly welcomed. It promises to be a great day, so if you’re available, pack a picnic, bring the kids, bring your friends and join in the madness!

A few highlights from last year’s race