Motor vehicle students from West Kent College are applying the final touches to 50 soapbox karts they have built for a charity challenge. Businesses and organisations will decorate and then race their creations down Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells on May 5 in the Crazy Jeans extravaganza.
Up to 10,000 spectators are expected to watch the time trial race, with the event also including a zip wire and supercar display.
The day culminates in a Grand Final with the four fastest teams in both the school and main races going head to head to find the ultimate Crazy Jeans winner.
West Kent students, aged 16 to 18, will be on hand to provide maintenance as well as racing their own kart.
Gary Crowhurst, college tutor, saya: ‘This a great opportunity for our students to put into practice the skills they have learnt so far.
‘It also helps fulfil part of their course criteria, which involves students managing a project from start to finish and overcoming any issues which may arise along the way.
‘Our students are really engaged with this large project and are looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labour on the day.’
The aim of the day is to raise around £50,000 for charities, including ellenor and Hospice in the Weald.
Garry Jeffery, of Jean’s Kitchen and Wine Bar on St John’s Road, started the event and is pleased with how it is progressing.
He says: ‘I’d always wanted to have a charity kart race in Tunbridge Wells but in previous years we’d fallen at the first hurdle because getting businesses to actually make their own karts proved too difficult to make it happen.
‘We are supplying the materials to West Kent College and thanks to the staff and students the 50 karts will be ready soon for those taking part in the races – and they really are brilliant.
‘Crazy Jean’s really is a fantastic community event with schools, businesses and organisations really pulling together and using their resources in which-ever way they can turn a dream into a reality.’
The headline sponsor is car insurer Markerstudy, one of the biggest employers in Tunbridge Wells and keen supporters of local community events and charities.
For more details visit www.crazyjeansevents.com or email hello@chattyhatter.com
