Huge response to soapbox derby challenge

The Times revealed last week that North Ballymena Community Cluster are hosting the race on Saturday, June 4.

Since then the challenge has been accepted by groups from all over the borough and beyond, with organisers delighted by the incredible response.

Kevin McCrudden said that he has been inundated with requests for entry forms.

Kevin said: “It’s been like a runaway train! I am handing out four and five entry forms every day. We have had an unbelievable response, my phone hasn’t stopped. It is a cross-community event and we have entries from all over, Young Farmers, Tesco, Engineering companies and community groups. It is free to enter and we just wanted to see what interest there would be, hopefully this will become an annual event.”

It might not only be your traditional soap boxes competing, with a number of Young Farmers Club wanting to enter the event.

He laughed: “I had a call from a member of the Young Farmers and he asked could they enter small toy tractors in the race. I said as long as there’s no power or pedals then that’s fine.”

If you think you are brave enough for this challenge, then there’s still time register for what is sure to become a big event in Ballymena’s calender.

For further information on the event or if you wish to enter a soapbox contact Kevin on 07907533354.

For administration purposes, entrants are encouraged to have their completed forms returned to Kevin at 142 Dunvale, Ballymena.