Red Bull Soapbox Race Returning To Los Angeles May 21st

Dave the KOM and Psycho Mike navigate a turn at last year's race

You may remember back in 2009 when we had a team at the Red Bull Soapbox Race called Summer of Death, consisting of Dave the King of Mexico (Billy Mays), Psycho Mike (Patrick Swayze), DJ Omar Khan (DJ AM) and Anel (Michael Jackson). Well, Red Bull is bringing the event back to LA this May, and you should count on KROQ being there for another shot at the podium!

On May 21st, the Red Bull Soapbox Race will invade Grand Ave. and 5th Street in Downtown LA as racers are judged on speed, creativity and showmanship as they navigate the course, which includes a “razor sharp” turn onto 5th Street. Think you got what it takes? We got the sign-up info after the jump.

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Dave and Mike taking a turn in Downtown LA

OFFICIAL RED BULL PRESS RELEASE:

SANTA MONICA – February 2, 2011 – Ready! Set! Go! Back by popular demand, Red Bull Soapbox Race, featuring some of the wildest legal street racing around, is set to once again screech into Los Angeles for a 2011 pit stop. While the city is renowned for its traffic gridlock, on May 21 the usually clogged streets of downtown Los Angeles will transform into a bona fide drag strip!

Approximately 40 teams will compete in this non-motorized racing event, which encourages gear heads and adrenaline junkies alike to break out their toolboxes and build outrageous human-powered vehicles designed to thrill the masses. On May 21, these speed demons will race down Grand Avenue and brave a razor sharp turn onto 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles, crossing the finish line right in front of Pershing Square. Although it’s the same location as the 2009 Red Bull Soapbox Race, racers beware- you’re in for a whole new set of challenges!

CALLING ALL SPEED DEMONS

Ever wanted to speed past a crowd of thousands as they cheer you on to victory? Well, Red Bull Soapbox Race is calling! Teams can enter their engineering marvels and crazy concepts with a formal application found at www.redbullsoapboxrace.com starting on February 2. Don’t delay – get that concept submitted ASAP, as applications MUST be submitted by March 25.

Teams will need more than just courage to claim victory on these city streets as they will be judged on three criteria: speed, creativity and showmanship. So, make it fast… and fun! Previous events have proven that the most outlandish crafts are typically the big winners, so put on your creativity caps and let loose. In 2009 a heavy metal-inspired death machine, the Mach I from “Speed Racer” and the flying Winnebago from “Spaceballs” all graced the Los Angeles winner’s podium. Also on the track were a giant brain, the creatures from “Where the Wild Things Are” and the DeLorean from “Back to the Future.”

DRIVERS, START YOUR IMAGINARY ENGINES

Each soapbox must be powered by gravity and imagination, which means no stored power or external energy sources allowed. And size does matter! All vehicles must be less than six feet wide and 20 feet in length, no more than seven feet high and cannot weigh more than 176 lbs (not including the driver). Drivers must be at least 18 years old, but engineers and grease monkeys of all ages are welcome to be part of the five person team.

As the only race in 2011, the Los Angeles event will be the tenth U.S. Red Bull Soapbox Race to ever take place, with the first stateside race held in St. Louis in 2006. The global event dates back to 2000, when it first took place in Belgium, and has since visited almost 30 countries.

For more information and to apply, visit www.redbullsoapboxrace.com.