Why wacky hand-built karts will race down city's steepest hill

Fans demanded a steeper hill than Colchester High Street - and they have been given it on North Hill

Racers are gearing up to zoom down a city centre's steepest hill during the return of a soapbox rally.

Twenty-eight teams have hand-built their karts ahead of the free-to-watch derby in Colchester on Sunday.

Thousands of people are expected to line the precipitous North Hill, some armed with water cannons, when the racing kicks off at 10:30 BST.

What do you need to know if you're heading to Colchester - and where can you follow the action?

The course

All kinds of inspiration is drawn upon when designing the karts

Usually a more peaceful scene home to a sixth form college, North Hill has been transformed into a racecourse for the day.

From its summit, 28 teams will launch their carefully crafted, non-motorised karts in a series of time trials and head-to-head races.

The course consists of a "bone rattler" section that shakes the contestants and tests the structure of their vehicles.

They will then have water fired at them from children lining the track, while navigating sudden drops and tight turns.

The races

Each team will begin the day with a solo run down North Hill to record a qualifying time, determining their seeding for the next stage.

After qualifying, teams enter a head-to-head knockout format, pitted against a kart with the closest racing time to their own.

There will be quarter finals, semi finals and a grand final, as well as a third-place play-off.

The timings will go as follows:

• 10:30 - qualifying round

• 11:30 - lunch, highlights and kart awards

• 12:30 - 16 races

• 13:15 - eight races

• 13:50 - four races

• 14:15 - two races

• 14:40 - the final race

Each kart has been guaranteed at least two runs.

The karts

This driver was gunning for his own slice of success

Teams have been encouraged to go wild with their designs, whether it's a Flintstones-themed kart or a futuristic spaceship.

They are being warned their vehicles must have functioning brakes, such is the steep gradient of the track.

Awards will be dished out for:

• Best kart

• Best team outfits

• Most entertaining

• Best business entry

• Podium finishes in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place

Fans can vote for their favourites via the InColchester App.

The spectators

Up to 7,000 people watched the last soapbox rally in Colchester, which was held on the High Street in 2023.

Thousands more are expected again this year, and food, drink and entertainment stalls are all being prepared to welcome them.

People have been invited to line North Hill to watch the action first-hand.

However, screens across the city - at the Mercury Theatre, Jumbo water tower, Culver Square, Lion Walk courtyard and in Castle Park - will be showing the racing live.

BBC Essex will be hosting the event and broadcasting live inserts into Sadie Nine's show between 10:00 and 14:00