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Outsign Lab Crowned as Soapbox Race Champion in Hong Kong’s Craziest Day Out

[October 14, 2012 – Hong Kong] –Hong Kong’s 1 st Red Bull Soapbox Race saw locals Ying Kit Kwok, Po Sing Chan, Man Ho Law and Tim Wong from Team Outsign Lab crownedas Hong Kong’s 1stRed Bull Soapbox Race Champion in a day that will be remembered for its colour, crowds and above all creativity as competitors battled it out in their home made constructions that encompassed everything from the sublime to the ridiculous and most things in between.

Top scoring with 121 points out of the 150 available the Mexico Skull inspired soapbox, together with its skilled pilot, struck the perfect balance between speed, creativity and showmanship, as they careered down the 372 meter Shatin race track to the appreciation of more than 35,000 spectators who came to witness the Red Bull spectacular.

The event had been billed as Hong Kong’s craziest day out and the speed junkies, party-goers, friends and families that made their way to Shatin certainly weren’t left disappointed as they witnessed crashes, rolls and in one case, complete vehicle disintegration as the man-powered soapboxes made their way down the twisting and bumpy track.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, the orange skeleton clad Ying Kit Kwok said, “I can’t tell you how happy I am to win the 1 st Red Bull Soapbox Race in Hong Kong, it feels amazing! We worked so long on the design and the costumes and didn’t finish it until after 2 o’clock this morning. But it worked out and it’s been brilliant fun. I’ll definitely be back next year – I don’t know what as, but I’ve got a few ideas already.”

With an equal 50 points on offer for creativity, showmanship and speed, Outsign Lab scored 121 points to bag the winners prize, consisting of a trip to the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix complete with Paddock Tour and the chance to meet Formula 3 racing driver Carlos Sainz.

A mere 2 points behind in 2 nd place was team Heroes in a Half Shell in their ninja turtle inspired design who win a trip for two to Taiwan to witness Red Bull Kart Fight, and in 3 rd place, team The Cave in their hospital inspired soapbox who win a Go-Kart experience in mainland China.

But in a day in which Hong Kong’s flair, creativity and exhibitionism showed itself, the true stars of the show were the soapbox designs which caused the crowds unlimted pleasure and amusement.

One of the highlights of the afternoon has to go to team銀芽!銀芽!熱狗. Barely a barrier went unscathed on the racetrack as they pin-balled their way down in their Mahjong soapbox. Two thirds of the way down, and within sight of the finishing line, the unfortunate soapbox decided enough was enough, as wheels and chassis separated, leaving pilot and crew sprawled over the tarmac. In a determined effort to make the finish line, the vehicle remnants were discarded as the competitors ran the final stretch to the finish line and bowed to the applause of the on-lookers.

One spectator who had made the trip down from Tsuen Wan commented, “This is just crazy – I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything quite so hilarious in all my life. Everyone’s put so much into it with the designs and the costumes – it’s just brilliant. There’s such a cool atmosphere here and everyone just seems to be having so much fun.”

They weren’t the only ones to enjoy the day out, as a number of the great and good from the Hong Kong social scene were spotted trackside, including the likes of Jocelyn and Anthony Luko-Sandstrom. And with Lawrence K.K. YU (余錦基太平紳士) manning the microphone throughout the day and a judging panel that included Kevin Poon and Eddy Tan, there was no shortage of star-dust to add some glitter.

A human powered downhill race, the Red Bull Soapbox was co-organised by the energy drink giant together with the Hong Kong Automobile Association and saw 45 teams shortlisted for the start line from over 150 initial participant team applications. The race demands courage, skill and creativity from all who compete..