Super Soapbox Challenge cart racing to return to Bradford

The Super Soapbox Challenge will take place in the city for the second year in a row, organisers have confirmed.

Once again, it is scheduled to take advantage of the early May Bank Holiday, with the event itself on Sunday, April 30, 2023.

There were 21 teams competing this year, with an array of creations and designs – from the supremely functional built for speed to those made to look stylish or follow a theme.

This included winners, The Green Arrow, clocking a speed of 32.26 seconds – down a huge ramp on Kirkgate, turning onto Bank Street and then finishing on Tyrrel Street – as well as car that looked like a lighthouse, with runners clad in Baywatch outfits.

The T&A even had a cart in the races - a joint effort with Bradford College, with students and staff actually building the vehicle - and the team came an impressive fourth overall.

The final scoreboard on May 1 this year

The action-packed cart races, which were commissioned and sponsored by the Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) brought a “rip-roaring” trade to hospitality businesses in the area, thanks to the thousands who turned up to watch.

Bradford BID footfall cameras showed a 59 per cent week-on-week increase in visitors to the city centre.

The Broadway shopping centre said they had 10,000 more people coming in than on a normal Sunday.

Reporter, Brad Deas, with the T&A and Bradford College car

Bradford BID manager Jonny Noble said: “There’s no doubt our first Super Soapbox Challenge was a great way to bring people together in the city centre which is, of course, good for business – in fact, some said they’d had their best ever Sunday trading figures.

“It really captured the imagination of the public.”

Preparations are now underway for next year’s event and the BID is asking for help from local businesses to ensure it happens.

Mr Noble said: “This year the BID were able to support the staging of the event because of some one-off external grant funding but if it is to be staged again, it will need more businesses to step forward with sponsorship.”

The T&A and Bradford College cart making its way round the track without its stylish covering

Andrew Pearson, events marketing director at the organisers, The Super Soapbox Challenge Company, said this year’s races raised thousands of pounds for charity but that it costs a similar amount to stage it.

He added: “Some people have already said they want to be involved again and we’re really pleased that Vodafone, who sponsored the finish, are so keen they’ve already said they’re coming back.”

For more information on how you can help, ring Mr Pearson on 07885944478 or email him on andrew@supersoapboxchallenge.co.uk