Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Saturday morning I headed into downtown Atlanta early to find a parking space. North Ave. was already shut down by the time I neared the Masquerade and Ponce City Market and music was already echoing off the surrounding streets. The Red Bull Soap Box Derby had returned to Atlanta and teams were already at the top of the hill meeting and greeting with spectators. The course this year headed 1,200 feet down North and included curves and a jump. It was organized chaos as tens of thousands of people started to line the course and the teams made their way to the starting line to try their luck. There were cheers and skits, music and crashes as team after team piloted their homemade vehicles towards the judges and the finish line. Victory tasted sweet.

Peter Jamieson puts the finishing touches on his team's vehicle before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Peter Jamieson puts the finishing touches on his team’s vehicle before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Josh Weinstein (left) takes a selfie before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Josh Weinstein (left) takes a selfie before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Chris Diganci puts the finishing touches on his team's vehicle before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Chris Diganci puts the finishing touches on his team’s vehicle before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dressed as a monkey, Jorge Palacio holds onto his giant drill before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dressed as a monkey, Jorge Palacio holds onto his giant drill before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dressed as Animal from the Muppets, Pete Massey bangs on his drum set before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dressed as Animal from the Muppets, Pete Massey bangs on his drum set before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Tomiya Weaver (right) yells cowabunga with Mark Fuller before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Tomiya Weaver (right) yells cowabunga with Mark Fuller before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Bryan Fuller (left) tests the suspension on his vehicle as Clairmont Lounge celebrity Blondie watches before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Bryan Fuller (left) tests the suspension on his vehicle as Clairmont Lounge celebrity Blondie watches before the start of the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The 92.9 The Game vehicle takes off from the starting ramp during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The 92.9 The Game vehicle takes off from the starting ramp during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dressed as the Pope, Koushi Ueda gives the peace sign to the crowd during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dressed as the Pope, Koushi Ueda gives the peace sign to the crowd during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Josh Weinstein (right) pilots his vehicle over the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Josh Weinstein (right) pilots his vehicle over the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Jay Ferraro (right) and Mike Brose brace for impact as they clear the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Jay Ferraro (right) and Mike Brose brace for impact as they clear the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The driver of Good Times Invasion tries to regain contol of his vehicle after clearing the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The driver of Good Times Invasion tries to regain contol of his vehicle after clearing the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The driver of Lighthouse Family Retreat is ejected from his vehicle as he crashes during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The driver of Lighthouse Family Retreat is ejected from his vehicle as he crashes during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Bryan Fuller and Freddy Bensch's wheel collapses underneath their car after clearing the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Bryan Fuller and Freddy Bensch’s wheel collapses underneath their car after clearing the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dressed as Animal from the Muppets, Pete Massey holds on to the back of the car after his driver clears the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dressed as Animal from the Muppets, Pete Massey holds on to the back of the car after his driver clears the jump during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The Rollergirls Downhill Devils driver screams as she clears the jump on North Ave. during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The Rollergirls Downhill Devils driver screams as she clears the jump on North Ave. during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The TEKES team heads towards the finish line on North Ave. during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The TEKES team heads towards the finish line on North Ave. during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dion Vidal crosses the finish line on North Ave. during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dion Vidal crosses the finish line on North Ave. during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dion Vidal celebrates after crossing the finish line on North Ave. during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

Dion Vidal celebrates after crossing the finish line on North Ave. during the Red Bull Soap Box Derby in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, 2015.