One of Douglas’s most anticipated events of the year takes place this weekend, with the return of the Soapbox Derby.

The downhill event where gravity is the engine runs from Upper Church Street and includes obstacles, a jump and a 90 degree turn.

This is the second year that organisers have used the current course (see the map below) which sees the home-made karts take three runs down the streets in a race that makes the Wacky Races seem as sensible as Formula 1.

Racers start from the back of a Mezeron truck and head down Upper Church Street towards the Rovers Return pub where a sharp right hand turn at the corner of Shaw’s Brow car park sees them finish off outside the Outback club on Barrack Street.

Organisers have revealed that not content with the 90- degree turn catching out racers, they have added even more speed by increasing the length of the first ramp by eight foot, making it into a 20-foot colossus which is sure to give racers a bump on landing. And in a bid to make the event more accessible, this year a part of the course will be reserved for disabled fans by the first jump near Bar George and a big screen will show the rest of the carnage further down the road.

Prizes will be awarded on the day for the quickest run, fastest recorded speed, biggest jump and best crash, as well as awards for outstanding kart design and best-dressed competitor.

In previous years, competitors have entered karts resembling a coffin, a Snaefell Mountain Railway tram, a fighter jet, and the Ben-my-Creaky (pictured).

All proceeds from the race will go to the Fire Fighters Charity, which provides assistance to serving firefighters, retired firefighters and their families.

The Soapbox Derby gets under way from 6pm on Saturday, August 31, with a road closure in place until the end of the racing. Last year’s race was won by the Generally team, which built its kart to resemble the General Lee from TV show The Dukes of Hazzard.