Calling all speed demons, thrill seekers and kart-building enthusiasts. Entries are now open for the 2016 Microgaming Soapbox Race, which takes place on Saturday 3rd September 2016. Competitors can build a soapbox kart to a design of their choice… the wackier the better! Last year’s home-made vehicles included an RNLI lifeboat, a double-decker bus and a racing-green wheelie bin.

The 2015 event saw a total of 41 competitors battle it out to see who could complete the course the quickest. Winding through the streets at speeds approaching 30mph, Team Bonnag took home first place. Other accolades awarded on the night included ‘Biggest Jump’, ‘Best Crash’ and ‘Most Botched Kart’.

Appropriately positioned in the racing calendar, directly after the Manx Grand Prix, this year’s event will follow the same course as previous: starting at Circular Road, hurtling down Upper Church Street and careering onto Barrack Street. However, as always, there will be a twist to the course with new jumps, bumps and chicanes to contend with!

Event Organiser, Elliott Moore commented: “I am delighted that the Microgaming Soapbox Race is back for a third instalment. What started as just an idea has turned into an annual entertainment fixture that gathers huge crowds on the streets of Douglas, and importantly raises a great amount for a brilliant local charity. I’m busy planning the 2016 event, which is sure to be a great night out for all!”

All proceeds from the event will go to Hyperbaric Isle of Man, a local charity providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy via pressurised chambers for patients from the Isle of Man, administering 10,000 treatments in 2015. Last year the race raised a remarkable ?4,000 for the charity, over ?1,000 more than the 2014 total and amounting to nearly ?7,000 to date.

David Downie MBE, Hyperbaric Isle of Man, added: “We are very grateful for the donations and exposure that we have received from the previous two soapbox races. Funds raised to date have been put towards the purchase of a new hyperbaric chamber, to accommodate up to 25 patients at a time. We hope that this year’s event will help us achieve this goal.”

Supporting the event from the offset, not only with financial assistance but on an organisational level, as well as PR and marketing, Microgaming is the sole sponsor.

Claire Coleman, Head of Microgaming PlayItForward, commented: “It has been so rewarding to watch this event grow year-on-year, and to see the crowds gather on the night and be thoroughly entertained for the evening. Thanks to everyone who made the 2015 event such a success – here at Microgaming we’re already planning our 2016 kart!”

3FM will return as media partner to promote the event on-air.

Tony Palmer, 3FM Sales Director, said: “We always look forward to this event – it’s a fun event on a jam-packed calendar. As media partner we’ll ensure the entries flood in, the crowds gather and the event raises a great amount for charity.”

For more information on the course and kart specifications, and to enter the 2016 event, visit douglassoapbox.com. Entries are open to corporate and private soapbox teams, with entry fees of ?100 and ?50 respectively.

Photo - First Place 2015 winners Team Bonnag.