What do you get when you mix engineering talent, a touch of madness, and a cartoon-inspired kart?
A trophy-winning performance at this year’s Krazy Races in Crewe!
Krazy Races is a nationwide soapbox derby that challenges teams of businesses, charities, schools, and brave friends to design and race gravity-powered karts down a local hill. And this year, Team Boughey
rolled up (literally) to take on the challenge with one goal in mind: have fun and if possible, bring home a trophy.
Built for Speed and Smiles
Led by Team Captain Paul Brimelow, our kart was dreamt up and built by our very own garage engineers. Shaped like a cartoon version of our vehicles, it featured corrugated bodywork, a custom-fabricated frame, a recycled go-kart chassis, and motorbike wheels.
An Early Start.
The big day began early at Crewe’s Badger Park, where 19 teams gathered to set up by 8:30am ahead of a 10:30am public opening. By 11am, the first race was underway, and we were fourth in the running order.
Before each team raced, they were interviewed by local panto star Steve Johnston and treated the crowd to a short performance. Team Boughey picked “Eastbound and Down” as their anthem, and entertained the crowd with ‘last-minute maintenance’ including driver-oiling and sparkler-welding with a homemade ‘ACME welder’.
Then it was time to race. For Run 1, driver Callum Heath took the wheel and was launched down the track by Dan Heatley, tackling ramps, chicanes, and hazards in style, clocking in a solid 24.58 seconds.
Run 2 saw Kev Grice steer a cleaner line (no ramp this time!) and shave down the time to 24.02 seconds, putting us into the top 8 going into lunch.
Fun, Food, and Fast Karts
With around 15,000 visitors attending, the event was a huge hit. Spectators enjoyed food stalls, family attractions, and plenty of trackside action. Other teams wowed the crowds with creations including a
Ghostbusters hearse, a space shuttle, the Batmobile, a giant hotdog, and even a Morgan 3-wheeler. Despite the competition, the atmosphere was nothing but supportive, with teams swapping tools, tips, and jokes all day long.
Final Push.
Post-lunch, Jonny Evans took over as driver for the third run, now with an extra pusher, he shot down the course in just 22.77 seconds. That run secured 7th place, just enough to sneak into the final round.
Team Boughey made their final tweaks and headed back to the top of the hill one last time. Jonny, the fastest qualifier, jumped back in the driver’s seat with the full team powering the launch. No performance this time, just pure speed. Down the course he flew… and then it was time to wait.
The Results.
As the awards ceremony kicked off (and the heavens opened), the judges announced the winners. Cheers erupted when it was revealed that Team Boughey had taken 3rd place overall! The team were thrilled, surprised, but seriously proud.
Team Captain Paul Brimelow summed it up: “It was a great day and really brought us closer as a team. We had no previous experience, but everyone gave it their all and had a fantastic time.”
“Thank you to everyone who came along to cheer us on. Your support made all the difference. And who knows… we might just be back next year, faster than ever.”
