Homemade carts take to the cobbles in York

The Legendaires competing in the 2nd Autohorn Micklegate Soapbox Challenge.  Pictures by Bruce Rollinson.The Legendaires competing in the 2nd Autohorn Micklegate Soapbox Challenge.  Pictures by Bruce Rollinson.
The Legendaires competing in the 2nd Autohorn Micklegate Soapbox Challenge. Pictures by Bruce Rollinson.
It is a case of Blue Peter meets road racing and it has produced a colourful and entertaining spectacle along one of York's famous cobbled streets on a scorching summer's day.

The Autohorn Micklegate Soapbox Challenge is taking place today on one of the Medieval city’s most well-known streets for a second year, drawing rows of onlookers as competitors in fancy dress wheel out their decorated homemade carts to try and set the fastest time.

Imaginations have run riot to create some eye catching designs on four wheels, with the ‘Royal Hair Force’, Noddy and Toy Story inspired carts among those released down a five-metre start ramp in order to pick up speed and hurtle along the downhill cobbled road towards Ouse Bridge.

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Some contestants have fared better than others and one conspicuous casualty was a rider in full Evel Knievel costume and painted cart, who crashed out part way down the hay bale lined track but emerged seemingly unhurt.

The Islanders team takes to the track.The Islanders team takes to the track.
The Islanders team takes to the track.

Today’s event was started by Boyzone singer Shane Lynch and visitors can enjoy live music, a food court, fairground rides and a display of supercars.

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