A bolt out of the blue! Burnley College’s soapbox racer takes to the streets of Colne

Like a streak of lightning, “The Burnley Bolt”, built by expert the Engineering Students and Tutors of Burnley College, will be flying through the streets of Colne in the Colne Soapbox Challenge this Fathers’ Day.

Up to 50 teams will be letting gravity take its course as they race their vehicles down the hay bale lined route.

The brave racers will start by hurtling down a huge ramp outside the Town Hall – sponsored by Burnley College – fly down Albert Road, to the finish line outside Tubbs of Colne.

The race starts at 11am on Sunday, 18 June, with the first vehicle released from the top of the ramp by a top-secret mystery guest.

It’s set to be an amazing day for all the family with live commentary as the karts take to the course and all the racing displayed on giant LED screens.

There’s also a funfair, music, food and Soapbox Racing’s mascot, Sidney Cartalot, and it’s free to attend.

Burnley College Principal Karen Buchanan is excited:

“We’re so proud to sponsor this amazing event – a real first for Colne – and to enter our own vehicle … the Burnley Bolt!

“Our Students and Staff have been using their expert engineering skills, industry-sourced knowledge and cutting-edge equipment to build the Burnley Bolt, which we can’t wait to see whipping through the streets.

“It’s going to be a great day for Colne! We’re really looking forward to attending the inaugural Soapbox Challenge and sharing our passion to Build Futures and Change Lives.

“We wish everyone competing every success and hope we can follow the recent news that we’re once again the Number One College in England for results for 11 to 18-year-olds with being first past the post in the Soapbox Challenge!”