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In pictures: Duxford Soapbox Derby returns after two-year absence




After two Covid-enforced years away, the Duxford Soapbox Derby returned in style last weekend.

The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead

Taking place on Sunday, September 4, there were plenty of imaginative modes of transportation on display – as well as some very colourful costumes.

Andy Yates, chair of the event’s organising committee, said: “It was a success – it’s fantastic to be back after a two-year break, thanks to coronavirus...

The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead

“We had four winners. In our first race that was Ketchup and Mustard (Isaac Tautz and Kayden, in the 4-7 age group) and Nimbus 2022 (Sam Pryke and Grace Kenworthy, in the 8-11 age group).

“In the second race we had the Burns Mobile (Ashleigh and Keanan Burns, in the 12-15 age group) and our winner of the Phill Hill Cup (the adult’s race) was Toad Away (Eddie Copeland and Marcus Bradford). They nearly managed to beat the record lap time but they missed out by 15 seconds, unfortunately.”

The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead
The Duxford Soapbox Derby 2022. Picture: Gerry Weatherhead

The Soapbox Derby raises awareness and money for Cancer Research UK to help fund vital research. The race was first held in 2013 in memory of Duxford resident Phill Hill, who passed away from cancer earlier that year.

New this year, the first mayor of Duxford Award – presented to the best fancy dress – was awarded to the Banana Bros (James Chinda and Fraser Herring). The award is in honour of Peter Stribling, who was known locally as the ‘mayor of Duxford’ and who passed away in 2019. “That was presented by the Stribling family,” said Andy. “Pete was our former chair of the committee.”

[Read more: Enter now for the Duxford Soapbox Derby]

The adult’s fancy dress prize went to Rocket Man (Liam Camp and James Reed). Andy notes that a “huge amount of people” turned out to watch, and added: “Lots of partying away into the early evening as well – so a real carnival atmosphere at all the venues: at the John Barleycorn, at Graystones, and eventually at The Plough, which had a music festival afterwards.

“It was just a fantastic time, and so great to be back after such a break as well.”

For more on the Duxford Soapbox Derby, visit duxfordsoapboxderby.co.uk.



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