Pioneering technology team makes waves with ingenious and ambitious racer concept
Novacroft, the Northampton-based smartcard and software specialist, is one of only 70 teams out of 700 applicants to win a place in the Red Bull Soapbox Race 2015, the world’s wildest downhill racing event for outrageous hand-made, non-motorised soapbox carts.
It was the originality, creativity and ingenuity of the company’s Jules Verne inspired soapbox racer, based on the Nautilus submarine from the novel ’Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’, that impressed the Red Bull selectors. The novel was published at the height of the industrial revolution, the theme for this year’s Soapbox Race.
A unique international event that sees carts hurtling down the course at astonishing speeds, the Red Bull Soapbox Race challenges both experienced racers and amateurs to design and build soapbox ‘dream machines’ and compete against the clock powered only by gravity – and sheer grit!
Novacroft now has to put its technology skills to the test by taking its prototype deign (pictured opposite) to racing and potential record-breaking standard within weeks, ahead of race day on 12th July 2015 at London’s Alexandra Palace.
But there is no challenge too tough for Novacroft! A former go-kart champion is part of the Novacroft team, and hopes are high! Just as the submarine Nautilus was a pioneering development of science, Novacroft is also a pioneer in its field, with an expert technology team to match.
Debra Charles, Novacroft’s founder and CEO, says:
It’s not often that you find an event that’s a true extension of your team spirit, and that allows you to put your team skills to the test in an extraordinary and exciting way. But we’ve found it, and we can’t wait!
Novacroft will be using the event to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support (Northants) and KidsAid, the company’s charities of the year for 2015. To donate, please visit our JustGiving page.