Childs play: Lotus Type 119c soapbox

Now be honest, if you where a kid or for that matter a child trapped in an adult body, wouldn’t you just “kill” to take this delightful Lotus designed Type 119c soapbox for a “spin” in your neighbourhood? I can just imagine myself telling my friends I’ve got a soapbox with enough tech on it to make a Benz look prehistoric…

Anyway, this record-holding downhill gravity racer, is going to make its second competitive appearance at the Brooklands Museum Soapbox Derby on 16 July, 2006. The Type 119c soapbox is the reigning champion and record holder of the challenging 0.7 mile descent at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Gravity Racing Club Soapbox Challenge.

Press Release: The closed-cockpit Lotus Type 119c "streamliner" features an aerodynamically-efficient ultra-light carbon-fibre monocoque, remaining true to the "performance through light weight" philosophy of Lotus founder Colin Chapman. It will be lining up on the grid once again against familiar automotive constructors such as Lola, Vauxhall and Ford as well as entries from schools, colleges and privateers.

Paul Adams, who successfully piloted the Lotus Type 119 soapbox to victory in the Roadster Class at the Goodwood event in 2002 and who clinched the overall win in 2004 with the 119c, will be returning to the driving seat hoping to lift a third trophy. On being back behind the wheel after a two-year break, Paul Adams explains: "I am really excited to be able to race at such a historic circuit and be reunited again with past competitors, which will certainly make for some good and fun racing. We will be shaking down the car on the Hethel Test Track, so that I can familiarise myself once again with the controls, oil the nuts and bolts and blow off the cobwebs!"

Teams will race from the top of the Test Hill of the Brooklands circuit, which then leads on to the exciting banked section before the Finish Straight in front of the paddock. The record, held by Lola Cars for descending the course, is 71.8 seconds, and competitors are expected to reach a top speed of around 35 mph.

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