Soapbox race 'fantastic' for local economy

A soapbox derby where teams raced in homemade carts was "fantastic" for the local economy, a business improvement partnership has said.

Krazy Races, transformed Newbury town centre into a race track earlier, as competitors faced off to raise money for charity.

The teams had to design, build, and race their creations along the temporary track for the second year in a row.

Marketing manager at Newbury BID, Ben Beardmore-Gray, said: "It's fantastic, it gives our retailers the opportunity to reach a wider audience, it brings more people from out of area to experience Newbury for the first time."

In 2025, 26,000 people attended the event and this year Newbury BID had again partnered with Krazy Races and promised even more entertainment both on and off the course.

This included a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a chance for families to meet Paddington. The event took place alongside Newbury's Artisan Market.

This year's race course began at the Strawberry Hill / Old Bath Road roundabout, before racing down Oxford Street and finishing at The Broadway beside the Clock Tower.

The teams were made up of local businesses, charities and community organisations, tackling obstacles and tight corners in their handcrafted soapboxes, all while competing for a range of awards.

Beardmore-Gray said last year there were reports that people had some "fantastic trading" and this year they heard some town centre hotels were fully booked ahead of the event.

"So it's all part of the wider business economy to support what we do," he added.

One of the Krazy Races organisers, Danny Scoffin, said: "Every time we go back to an area we want to make it bigger and better than the year before.

"The best thing about coming back is we can just change the track up, see what worked well last year, improve on it for the second year and yeah we're in for a great ride today."

Each team performs a short dance routine before they take to the track.

"Their dance routines give everyone a great laugh," he said.

Scoffin said the free event was dreamt up because it would raise a lot of money for charity and help local businesses.

Liz Turner competed under the team name Sesame Street Gang.

"I suffer with dyspraxia and not many people know what dyspraxia is and it affects more than just coordination," she said.

It affects her ability to process and retain information as well as her speech, she said.

"So I've always wanted to raise money for them [Dyspraxia UK]."

Marcus Cannon from the Linkshire Rough Ashlers, said when he was in the zone he would just go as fast as he could and keep as close to the cones as possible.

"Straight line it basically with no breaking," he said.

He said there was a ramp as part of the obstacle course, which was "excellent" but it damaged their cart.