A REDDITCH sustainability company achieved a podium finish in this year’s Red Bull Soapbox Race in London last weekend.
Chitty Chitty Can Can, created by the team at Every Can Counts, was placed third in the legendary race that attracted thousands of spectators to Alexandra Palace on Saturday.
The race challenges teams to design the craziest of contraptions which rely solely on gravity to navigate the 420-metre downhill course. Participants are judged on creativity, speed, and showmanship.
Driven by programme manager Chris Latham-Warde, the cart, which resembled a recycling lorry, was made to raise awareness of recycling. His co-pilot was executive director Tom Giddings who wore a homemade outfit of more than 350 cans.
The team were ecstatic to come third having been placed 27th last time.
Chris said: “Taking part in the race is something our team always looks forward to and this year was no different. In our aptly-named Chitty Chitty Can Can, we completed the course in under 45 seconds.
“We managed to score 37/40 for creativity and 39/40 for our pre-race performance, which was fantastic. While the race was a great chance to get our team together and make the most of the sunshine, it also enabled us to raise awareness about the recyclability of aluminium.
“Every empty drink can – including those Tom modelled on his suit during the race – can be back on sale as a brand-new can in just 60 days when recycled.
“We hope our performance in Chitty Chitty Can Can inspired the race spectators to do their bit to contribute to the UK’s recycling rate.”
In total, 59 teams came from all over the UK for the race which was won by London-based The Hurry Houdini, with the Hoveraid crew from Cambridge in second place.
Red Bull has held more than 100 races around the world since the original event in Brussels in 2000.
See redbull.com for more details.
