They hurtled, they clanked, they flew, they skidded, and occasionally they fell apart.
The machines in the first Micklegate Run Soapbox Challenge brought thrills, spills and fun to York’s finest street.
A huge success, the event was a wonderful way to relaunch Micklegate.
Thousands of people turned out to cheer on the competitors in a day’s racing that put Formula 1 to shame.
Supported by the main sponsor Autohorn, and businesses across the city and beyond, the event has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity.
Each cart was launched from a wooden ramp halfway up Micklegate close to its junction with Priory Street.
They then had to navigate puddles, cobbles, a tight bend and a ramp before crossing the finish line at the bottom of the street.
Carts came in all shapes and sizes. Among the imaginative designs were a giant hypodermic needle, an aircraft, a unicorn, Postman Pat’s van, a bathtub and a market stall.
After two runs down the hill, the ten fastest teams raced again for the overall prize. The winners were Focus Fireplaces, in a speedy red cart with the support of not one but two superheroes.
Same time next year? We think so…
Your videos
Micklegate Soapbox #York #yorkshire #MicklegateRun pic.twitter.com/ZIydK1xnJe
— SEAL Fitness (@SealEmma) August 28, 2016
The Romans are back on Micklegate #York #Micklegate #soapboxchallenge pic.twitter.com/3D9iw2nUNh
— imogen by j lennon (@imogenary) August 28, 2016
#SoapBoxRace in #York #Micklegate #Batman #Robin @minsterfm @MrBenFry @daviddunninguk pic.twitter.com/YtHR3jb1rA
— Ben Robson (@RobsonBen) August 28, 2016
Your pix
Setting up for the Micklegate run under way https://t.co/ftCYTkvSop pic.twitter.com/TmC3cdj9yg
— Simon East (@seast) August 28, 2016
#micklegate is ready. Last minutes before @MicklegateRun starts #Yorksoapbox #york @minsterfm pic.twitter.com/ZSOAymLEAq
— Lars Kramm (@Lars4Micklegate) August 28, 2016
A great turnout for the first Micklegate Run Soap Box Challenge today. pic.twitter.com/owFyCDZKL1
— York Rescue Boat (@yorkrescueboat) August 28, 2016
The #Micklegate #soapboxchallenge gets underway in #York pic.twitter.com/ZT2hlZAdBm
— Ravage Productions (@ravagephoto) August 28, 2016
2nd car started by @bishyroadjohnny and approached cobbles @MicklegateRun #micklegate #york pic.twitter.com/T0n2DUiZh7
— Lars Kramm (@Lars4Micklegate) August 28, 2016
Excellent jumps down the challenge ramp @MicklegateRun #micklegate #york pic.twitter.com/lyU3iWdFJy
— Lars Kramm (@Lars4Micklegate) August 28, 2016
A bit of a banana finish @MicklegateRun but good performance at the #micklegate ramp #york pic.twitter.com/hm2Ea1nQ2r
— Lars Kramm (@Lars4Micklegate) August 28, 2016
Scary-mazy finished for team 5 @MicklegateRun but quite fast #micklegate #york pic.twitter.com/rz02X71uum
— Lars Kramm (@Lars4Micklegate) August 28, 2016
Good breaking and stearing of no 6 team @MicklegateRun #Yorksoapbox #micklegate #york pic.twitter.com/NAVdhJOMcB
— Lars Kramm (@Lars4Micklegate) August 28, 2016
@MicklegateRun some of the fantastic soapbox race at the first #Micklegate soapbox run pic.twitter.com/Xvvb0N3B5E
— Fraxinus Argilla (@FraxinusArgilla) August 28, 2016
Fantastic #Micklegate soapbox challenge #York #soapboxchallenge #MicklegateRun pic.twitter.com/MjsiGzERsA
— Sarah Catton (@CattonKelly) August 28, 2016
@TD15_york loving the hairforce soapbox #micklegate pic.twitter.com/pQgYiFysgj
— Ake & Humphris (@AkeandHumphris) August 28, 2016
#MicklegateRun @punchbowlyork being helped down Micklegate by fellow barmen @BrewdogYork pic.twitter.com/rJh3exGHMh
— CraftBeerGeekUK (@CraftBeerGeekUK) August 28, 2016
Micklegate Sopabox @MicklegateRun @127micklegate @minsterfm @yorkpress @theyorkmix #Yorksoapbox #York pic.twitter.com/am26FfzPr2
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) August 28, 2016
Micklegate Sopabox 02 @MicklegateRun @minsterfm @YMHallowscream @yorkpress @theyorkmix #Yorksoapbox #york pic.twitter.com/RCZp0Iegiz
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) August 28, 2016
Go-carting in #York, Micklegate fast, furious fun. @minsterfm #Yorksoapbox Some seriously stunning carts ???? pic.twitter.com/mh05PVzEXY
— Kathleen Harryman (@KathleenHarrym1) August 28, 2016
Micklegate looking very well for the soapbox challenge today @MicklegateWard @MicklegateRun Brilliant initiative! pic.twitter.com/ne2tUzzodm
— York Irish (@YorkIrish) August 28, 2016
#traingate Where there any seats!!?? #yorksoapbox #micklegate #york ???? pic.twitter.com/paVRITyQND
— Holmsey (@YorkFarmGirl) August 28, 2016
York's Micklegate taking inspiration from Bristol's Park St with @MicklegateRun – streets for people & play. pic.twitter.com/erixHaBnEP
— Rob Greenland (@TheSocBiz) August 28, 2016
Super Heros Micklegate Sopabox @MicklegateRun @minsterfm @yorkpress @theyorkmix #Yorksoapbox #york pic.twitter.com/930VLUfuX0
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) August 28, 2016
Micklegate Run- secured by Eboracum!@MicklegateRun @bishyroadjohnny pic.twitter.com/ITAXMw5vo9
— Eboracum Security (@EboracumYork) August 28, 2016
Good afternoon at the #Yorksoapbox micklegate run! pic.twitter.com/m6aFzxj4nN
— Rob (@Battlewolfe) August 28, 2016
Great day out in York – micklegate soapbox day #visityork pic.twitter.com/P6wbDTvwse
— Ian Sadler (@ShopAnonNYorks) August 28, 2016
Great atmosphere soap box racing in Micklegate!https://t.co/iZXKZDmSNu@minsterfm @YMHallowscream #micklegate #york pic.twitter.com/ajQb1j5zUr
— York360 (@York360) August 28, 2016