The Red Bull Soapbox Race will bolt through downtown Los Angeles this Saturday, taking along three groups of Cal State Long Beach students for the ride.
Grand Avenue and Fifth Street will be free of its usual traffic jams as human-powered vehicles take over the streets. Out of about 200 applicants, 47 were selected to race.
What makes the race special is the vehicles that are used — they are hand-built, unique and environmentally friendly, as well as powered by gravity and human energy.
Chance Decker, a CSULB alumnus and the Beach Pride Center coordinator, and his team are among those involved. Decker said his team is not scared to compete.
“We are excited to be a part of something so large and unique,” he said. Decker also said he is a little bit nervous because, after all, they are racing down a large hill.
Judging in the race is based on three criteria: speed, creativity and showmanship. Creativity also is a must, since there are rules limiting the weight and the size of the racecars.
The racecars should sit at least 7 inches from the ground and must be no taller than 7 feet. They should also weigh no more than 176 pounds without the driver.
Decker and his team — Teresa Ruiz, California State University communications specialist; Kimmie Tang, assistant professor at Mount St. Mary’s College; Chad Pittman; and Rachel Sanchez, a CSULB program coordinator — have spent around $200 and about a month building their racecar, Banana Hammock.
But it isn’t quite what you might think — Decker will be driving a hammock on wheels, while dressed as a banana.
“When we thought of what we would like to see racing down the streets in L.A., a Banana Hammock just came to mind,” Decker said.
Other CSULB competitors include “Dorm Livin,” with team captain Antonio Ylanan and four other students: Joebel Go, Steven Lee, Alex Rambo and Jimmie You.
Dorm Livin’ team members met through the university’s American Marketing Association and the Mexican American Engineers and Scientists organization. Their racecar, a bunk bed designed with $150, is the first soapbox they have ever built.
“It’s pretty crazy seeing a rough sketch of an idea to turn into reality,” Ylanan said.
Ylanan said their car is supposed to represent student life.
“The bunk bed was a childhood bed of one of the team members,” Ylanan said. “He said we are killing his childhood dream, but I said that after the race we can drive it back to his bedroom.”
He added that he is looking forward to the competition.
“Before, with the original design I had in mind, I would’ve just been happy to roll down and make it to the finish line all in one piece,” Ylanan said. “I think we really have a good chance of winning.”
Decker, from Banana Hammock, trusts his team and their design.
“I am only looking to survive and have a great time, I think we having a winning combination with a great team and a pretty cool craft,” he said. “My goal is to not bruise the banana.”
The third CSULB team is called “On a Boat,” whose members include alumni Jason Mack and Matt Roumiguiere, students Mike Kisling and Colby McElrath, and business analyst Trent Wright, according to the Red Bull Soapbox Web site. Their soapbox is a re-creation of the music video of the song “On a Boat” by The Lonely Island.
About 80,000 people are expected to attend the race, which Ylanan said is “a great way to represent CSULB.”
There will be a race pre-party today at The Nugget from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The three teams will have their soapboxes on display.
The race is free to the public. Pits will open for soapbox viewing at 11 a.m. and the race will begin at 1 p.m.