Krazy Races Northwich 2023 returns to delight thousands

Sunday, July 16, welcomed the second annual Northwich Krazy Races soapbox derby, with 27 teams competing to be crowned race champions after careering 350 metres from the top of Castle Street to the bottom.

Team 'Cool Runnings' were raising money for Cancer Research UK (Image: Newsquest)

The crowds were delighted as brilliantly creative and outrageous carts shaped like a rugby ball, a spitfire, an air ambulance helicopter, a springer spaniel called Sprocket, a rubbish skip, and even a coffin, shuddered their way through chicanes, obstacles, and water traps. 

The day began with a Formula 1-style 'track walk' and a parade of teams from local businesses, charities, and even pubs as they steeled themselves for their courageous runs. 

(L to R): Wing Commanders Rich Morris, Chad Millington, James Wilmington, Matthew Jones and Rich Harrison from Northwich Round Table with their flowerpot nosecone Spitfire. Chocks away! (Image: Newsquest)

There was also plenty to keep the thousands of visitors entertained between races, including a full-scale funfair in Verdin Park, food and drinks stalls, circus skills, and wonderful dinosaur animatronics displays. 

Cheshire Police’s very own PC Panda also made an appearance armed with his trusty speed gun, though with few teams exceding 20mph, he probably didn't get a chance to use it. 

(L to R): Jurrasic Park's Ranger Danny, Northwich town Mayor Cllr Jame Thomas, and Cheshire Police's PC Panda ready for those speeding carts (Image: Newsquest)

Danny Scoffin, head of marketing for Krazy Races, said: “We’re over the moon to have returned to Northwich with our unique, wacky, Krazy Races soapbox derby event.

The team from UK Container Maintenance in Winsford clearly going for look over aerodynamics (Image: Newsquest)

“Throughout the day, all our teams launched themselves down our track in carts they all designed and built themselves, completely by hand.

“We want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to everyone who has made today possible.

Adrianna Barkowska takes a ride in the North West air ambulance (Image: Newsquest)

“We’re committed to keeping the event free to attend, while raising as much money as possible for as many fantastic local charities as possible.

“We can only do this with the support of all our fantastic sponsors and teams who have done so much to support the event.

“We’d like to say a special thank you to our headline sponsor and event partner, Northwich Town Council, who has pulled out all the stops to bring us into Northwich today.

(L to R): Ranger Luke, Ranger y and Ranger Lee from A-plan Insurance's Jurrasic Park animatronic experiene kept the crowds entertained between races (Image: Newsquest)

“We’d also like to give a massive thank you to our headline charity, North West Air Ambulance, track sponsors Zzoomm, and our VIP area sponsors, Lightcliffe Skoda.

“Huge thanks are also due to Six Ticks for sponsoring the website and public vote, and to City of Wolverhampton Racing who were with us all throughout the day making sure our teams are all safe and race ready.”

(L to R): Cllr Rachel Waterman, Steph Astbury, Cllr Andrew Cooper, Cllr Lee Siddall and Rupert Adams rocking the pina colada theme on behalf of Visit Northwich (Image: Newsquest)

Visitors even had a chance to mingle with the teams and take selfies with the carts in the competitors' very own pit area.  

Ollie Miller, who’s seven, travelled all the way from Liverpool for the event along with parents Pete and Angela, and Labrador, Biscuit.

He said: “I wanted to enter, but my dad said it was too dangerous. If I had, I would have made one in the shape of a banana.”