Red Bull Soapbox Race Set to Speed Through the Streets of Downtown Los Angeles
FORTY-SEVEN TEAMS GEARING UP TO RACE DOWN GRAND AVENUE ONTO 5TH STREET
On September 26 there will be at least two streets in Los Angeles free from the usual gridlocked traffic. Grand Avenue and 5th Street in Downtown will be reconfigured into wide-open raceways as the Red Bull Soapbox Race screeches into town. The wacky event will feature a field of 47 hand-made soapbox racers, driven by men and women daring enough to brave steep drops, a 90 degree turn and scary speeds in pursuit of achieving glory. But this race is far from your stereotypical childhood derby, and these are no ordinary vehicles! Angelenos can keep their eyes peeled for a giant nose, a bunk bed, a time-traveling DeLorean, Pac-Man, an Aztec temple and more zooming down Grand Ave and taking a sharp turn onto 5th Street next to Pershing Square Park.
After reviewing around 200 applications, the 47 most creative teams were selected to race their human-powered vehicles down the course. While these teams definitely feel the need for speed – they can reach close to 40mph in their racers – they will need more than just velocity to win. Judging is based on three criteria: speed, creativity and showmanship, so expect to see a healthy slice of style added to soapboxes’ blur-inducing speed.
BORN TO BE WILD
It should come as no surprise that Los Angeles would produce some of the wildest soapboxes to date, many of which include a familiar cast of characters. Head Downtown on September 26 and you will witness E.T. and Elliot flying over the moon, OJ Simpson being chased by the police and the cast from Alice in Wonderland riding a giant caterpillar. And where are the Wild Things? Tearing down the Red Bull Soapbox Race course in Max’s boat, that’s where. Also expect appearances by Speed Racer, James Bond, Falkor from The Never Ending Story and Lord Dark Helmet from Spaceballs. The teams come from all over Southern California as well as from Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Colorado and Nevada. College rivalries will be in high gear as teams from USC, UCLA, Pepperdine, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge, Loyola Marymount University, Oregon State University and University of North Texas take to the track to compete for school pride.
These gearheads may love the smell of axle grease in the morning and race just for the thrill of it, but turns out there’s a pay off! First place at Red Bull Soapbox Race is an unforgettable NASCAR experience including flight and hotel for all five team members. Second prize is the ultimate driving day at one of the most challenging and exciting racetracks in the nation. Third place receives a day of high speed go-kart racing. One team will also win the People’s Choice Award to be chosen by the crowd through SMS voting on race day.
Los Angeles may be the latest pit stop, but the Red Bull Soapbox roads have been braved by many daredevils before. The first Red Bull Soapbox Race took place in Belgium in 2000, and has since visited almost 30 countries including Austria, England, Jamaica, Czech Republic and Australia to name a few. The first U.S. event was held in St. Louis in 2006 and the event is making two U.S. stops this year in Atlanta (August 29) and Los Angeles (September 26).
RULES OF THE ROAD
It may be fast, it may be wild, it may even be weird. . .but there are rules to keep it legal. All driving machines must be entirely human-powered – no stored power or external energy sources allowed – though they must have a braking system. To maintain ground clearance (and prevent them from getting stuck on the starting ramp), soapboxes should sit at least 7″ from the ground, and be no taller than 7′ high. And finally, all soapboxes can have one or two drivers, must weigh no more than 176 lbs (without the drivers).
www.redbullsoapboxrace.com
Source: Red Bull
Don`t touch my balls
51st Annual Detroit Boat Show to Bring 9 days of Summer to Cobo Center
Boat show offers everything boating plus entertainment and fun for all Feb 14 – 22
More than 80,000 Michigan residents are expected to visit hundreds of exhibitors and see hundreds of new 2009, 2008 and 2007 model boats of all types and sizes during the 51st Annual Detroit Boat Show scheduled for February 14-22 at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit.
With Michigan’s best dealers all under one roof, offering the best pricing of the year, there is no better way to compare and shop for a new boat. Many dealers and manufacturers offer early order discounts as an added incentive to buy at the show. Boats purchased at the show can be customized and ready for a spring launch.
Many dealers say they can attribute up to 50% of their annual sales to sales and leads generated at this show. More than 1,500 boats, worth an estimated $50 million, traditionally sell during the Boat Show’s nine-day run, but it is much more than just a sales event. The show also offers fun activities for the whole family.
“The Detroit Boat Show is a great event to attend whether you are in the market to buy a boat, or if you are just looking for an opportunity to have some family fun,” said Boat Show Manager Van Snider. “We bring hundreds of boats for fishing, skiing, wakeboarding, pontooning, and cruising to Cobo for easy comparison shopping, but we also fill the hall with great activities and promotions for those looking for some entertainment or something to do with their families, friends, or kids.”
Shoppers are able to visit hundreds of exhibitors displaying ski boats, fishing boats, cabin cruisers, bow riders, pontoons and personal watercrafts. Also available for purchase are motors, dockage, water toys, skiing and wakeboarding gear, boating and fishing accessories, electronics, boat gear, jewelry, nautical gifts, artwork and much more — all under one roof in a casual and fun environment.
Amidst the gloom, there are many positive things boaters should be focusing on. For example:
- Water levels across the state, including the Great Lakes are up.
- Interest rates and gas prices are down – The Energy Information Administration, which provides the official energy statistics for the U.S. Government, tells us that gas prices should remain below $2.00 for the summer of 2009.
- Fishing is good – The DNR Reports Master Angler Fish Increased in 2008.
- Lt. Governor John Cherry and the MI Office of the Great Lakes (OGL) recently approved and released the Michigan Great Lakes Plan, Michigan’s long-term strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes.
- Boating continues to offer value far beyond the cost to participate and
- Michigan continues to be one of the finest boating states in country.
It is a great time to buy a boat. “Placing an order in February allows you to personalize your boat and get great deals with first quarter pricing on 2009 product,” said Snider. “Excess inventory for 2007 and 2008 is sure to result in some incredible savings opportunities on dozens of new 2008 and 2007 model boats we’ll have on display and financing is available at the show.”
The Detroit Boat Show has been staged every year for 51 years, and is known as the premier boating event in the State of Michigan. The Detroit Boat Show is known as one of the top boat shows in the country in regards to size, sales and attendance. The Detroit Boat Show is owned and produced by the Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA), a non-profit association representing marine businesses throughout the state. Revenue generated from this event is returned back to fund boater interests via MBIA’s programs and services.
Boat show attractions scheduled for 2009 include: a Bond Boats display; the Hawg Tank Casting Demos, Capt’n Willie’s Pirate Island, the Antique and Classic Boat exhibit, the Boating Kids Clinic, Rail Jam Wakeboard demos, Live Music at the Beach Bar, Princess of the Boat Show Bikini Contest, the Discover Boating Center, Franklin the Turtle, Salty Dog and much more.
Show dates are February 14-22. Admission to the show is $12 for adults, children, 12 and under, are free with an adult and seniors 62 and over receive free admission on Monday, February 16.
Discount tickets and promotion updates are available at www.detroitboatshow.net.
Show Hours:
- Saturdays, Monday & Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Sundays: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Parking is available at Cobo Center and surrounding lots.
Source: Michigan Boating Industries Association