Philadelphia Pride, Creativity and a Good Set of Brakes Set the Tone for Red Bull Soapbox Race

CHEESESTEAKS, HIGH HEELS AND ROCKY 'CAR-GO-A' TUNE UP TO BRAVE 'THE WALL' IN MANAYUNK

PHILADELPHIA, July 10 -- This September 6, Philadelphia will host Red Bull Soapbox Race "down the wall" in Manayunk. Catch a glimpse of Lyceum Avenue and you'll see the Whack-a-Mole-bile, the Pork Chop Express and the Killa Bees speeding down the steep 1/4-mile course in hopes of racing glory. Known as one of the steepest hills in the Philadelphia metro area and best known for its annual bicycle race, it promises to challenge even the best of these human-powered soapboxes as they reach speeds over 40 mph.

39 teams were selected from nearly 250 applications that will take part in the outlandish racing event. Mind your preconceived notions though, as these teams are far from your stereotypical childhood soapbox racers. Red Bull Soapbox racers must swivel down the course with both speed and style as judging is based on time, creativity and showmanship. With a harrowing course, up to two "drivers" per car and a judging panel of local heroes and sports stars, and you've got a race unlike Philadelphia has seen.

THE NEED FOR SPEED

Philadelphia's racing roster includes a plethora of crafts including the Al Bundy Clan, a Mario and Luigi Nintendo, a Giant Heel with wings, a Cheesesteak in true Philly style and a Philadelphia Eagles craft to help kick off the football season. College rivalries will also be heating up as teams from Pennsylvania State, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania and Drexel take to the track in a race for school pride.

Teams will battle for more than just bragging rights come this September -- the first place prize is an unforgettable VIP NASCAR experience with Team Red Bull which includes flight and hotel for all team members. The second place prize is a Stock Car driving course experience and the third place will receive a kart racing experience. There will also be a People's Choice award selected day of by the crowd's SMS voting.

Philadelphia may be the first U.S. pit stop of 2008, but the Red Bull Soapbox Race roads have been braved by many daredevils before. The first Red Bull Soapbox Race took place in Belgium in 2000, and has since visited almost 30 countries including Austria, England, Jamaica, Czech Republic and Australia to name a few. The first U.S. event was held in St. Louis in 2006 and will be making three more stops this year in Cincinnati (October 4), San Francisco (October 18) and Denver (October 25).

REDUCED SPEED AHEAD

While there is no limit on imagination, there are still a few rules of the road. All driving machines must be entirely human-powered -- no stored power or external energy sources allowed -- though they must have a braking system. Secondly, all vehicles must be less than six feet wide, less than 20 feet in length and no more than seven feet from the ground. And finally, all soapboxes can have one or two drivers, but when the crafts reach the start ramp they must weigh no more than 176 lbs.