CREATIVITY STEALS THE SHOW AS REDBULL SOAPBOXERS REVEAL MECHANICAL MASTERPIECES

AnD's Soap Box team was out in force at the Team Garage last night!   Our team members, the Start From Zero crew did a special live graffiti performance at the 1st Red Bull Soapbox Race 鬼馬飛車 Team Garage in Shatin.  In fact their canvas was a full sized Mini Cooper!

Here's AnD's timelapse video:

Video: http://youtu.be/-sJTfRAf_Yo

And a bonus Viddy - http://www.viddy.com/video/866c3d97-1a94-427d-863d-586ac6a93d3e

Here's the official press release:

Stage Set for Shatin Showdown in Inaugural Red Bull Hong Kong Soapbox Race this Sunday

[October 10, 2012 – Hong Kong SAR] With just four days separating competitors in the 1st Red Bull Hong Kong Soapbox Race from their date with destiny, the Red Bull Soapbox Garage opened its doors to the public since last Friday to reveal some of the creations that will line up on the Shatin start-line this Sunday.

Race organisers also welcomed a host of talent in the form of athletes, judges and artists to the preview which included a surprise appearance from Red Bull Athlete - Pro BMX Rider Daniel Dhers from Venezuela who passed on words of encouragement to participating teams, as well as a live art performance on a Red Bull X Mini Cooper by renowned local street artist Start from Zero.

The day showcased the creative diversity of the designs appearing in the inaugural race which is being billed Hong Kong’s craziest day out, which will see some of the city’s bravest and craziest drivers head down the hillside descent in the wackiest home-built vehicles in a quest to be crowned Red Bull Soapbox Race Champion.

One of main selection criteria for the 150 plus designs submitted by race hopefuls, was creativity and the 48 teams that have made the short list certainly haven’t disappointed. Spectators can expect to see soapboxes depicting everything from fishball soup to Chinese literary classics in the car designs that show-boat their way down the Shatin racetrack this Sunday. Others have chosen to make a more political statement, depicting the SAR’s new Chief Executive in the design while another team favours a mad dash down the hill in the company of zombies and vampires.

All 48 teams competing in the race have had the opportunity to make use of the equipment and expertise on offer at the Red Bull Soapbox Garage in Shatin to ensure that their design master-pieces don’t just remain exactly that, but make the transition from the drawing board into fully functional and roadworthy machines.

Local street artist “ Start from Zero”, commented, “It’s a pretty crazy event but it’s a great way of showing the creativity that is all around us here in Hong Kong and that’s important. We need more challengers on the street who are prepared to stand up for what they believe in and fight with the billboards.”

“Our inspiration comes from the cultural fusion between east and west and the high speed of life which is why our art is always done in the fastest way possible. We love expressing our attitude to life to the people on the street without boundaries or limitations. There’s a real synergy between Start from Zero and the Red Bull Soapbox Race. It’s about expressing yourself in a completely different way by creating something that you feel passionate about and I think that’s very powerful,” he continued.

Start from Zero, who is one of the 48 teams to join the Soapbox race on Sunday, treated participants to a live art performance on a Mini Cooper to be displayed on race-day. Speaking about the design, he said, “We like the whole pin-stripe look so tried to mix stencil with old school tattoo and pin-striping elements on the design – I think it looks kind of cool.”

Organisers also announced a host of judging talent for the ticket-free event, whose job it will be to decide on the stars of the day. Confirmed judges include Wesley Wan, president of FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) Asia Zone; celebrity model Jocelyn Luko-Sandstrom; Kevin Poon, co-owner of Clot; Eddy Tan, GM/VP of Channel V International, Star World and FOX International; and Fong Shing Yee, winner of Red Bull King of the Rock 2012 (Hong Kong & Macau); as well as Mr Lawrence K.K. Yu, BBS, MBE, JP (余錦基太平紳士) who will be one of the prize presenters.

Teams will be judged on creativity, showmanship and speed, with 50 points on offer for each of the three criteria, so it won’t just be about how quickly teams make it down the twisting race track, but more about the style in which they do it.

The highest scoring team will win a trip to the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix including an exclusive Red Bull Paddock tour and the opportunity to meet Formula 3 Racing driver Carlos Sainz.

A human powered downhill race, the Red Bull Soapbox requires courage, skill and creativity from all who compete on the 372m course. With no driving license required, the exhibition event will be contested by a combination of racing fanatics, absolute beginners and out-and-out exhibitionists.

The 1st Red Bull Hong Kong Soapbox Race takes place at 3pm on Sunday 14th October in Shatin and is free to attend. Spectators can expect a day of high drama including crashes, rolls and a lot of show-boating in what promises to be a great day out for friends and families.

For more details please visit www.redbullsoapboxrace.hk