Speed Kills

Monday, April 28, 2008

James Swanwick finds out the illegal world of soapbox racing is as fast as it’s dangerous.

The deafening, abrasive sound of ambulance sirens blares through California’s San Fernando Valley. People are screaming and crying and there’s blood. Lots of blood. I thought this would be a simple story about soapbox racing – those carts with no engines that hurl down hills powered by gravity at speeds that often top 80km/h. It’s illegal and very f–king dangerous – as today’s race proves...

The day starts with me sitting in a homemade cart at the top of a long, treacherous LA road. I’m seconds away from releasing the brakes and racing down a 500m hill - that in this position - feels like Mt Everest.

To read the full story, buy the May issue of RALPH. On sale at newsagents now.

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Have you ever been soapbox racing? Leave your comment below.

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User reviews

No comments exist because they will not post them.....Hum can't handle the real truth.

What can I say? You call yourself a journalist? I was at that race and you have said nothing in your article that tells the truth except that your are a coward. My husband was there and out of all us associated with this event NONE of us have exploited this. That is why outsiders such as yourself or should I say the so called "Press" should keep their cameras and opinions to themselves. I can not believe you published these horrific photos in another country. Are you afraid? Obviously you do not have the guts to confront the real issue at hand. We are a FAMILY and we do not use others losses to gain fame. You are a sad person Mr. Swanwick.

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