Freemasonry was the only organisation to enter two teams in Lincoln's first-ever hugely popular soapbox derby, raising their profile for spectators in their thousands who lined the course five and six deep to see the spectacle.
Members from Boston and the Free Wheelers Motorcycle Lodge formed the teams, both with the ambition of raising their profile and backing their chosen charities.
Pilgrim Fathers were supporting the Masonic Charitable Foundation with their Red Arrows-inspired' soap box', and the Free Wheelers were backing the Teddies For Loving Care Scheme – which explained the outfits.
Organised by a company called Krazy Races, the event called for each competing team to make three timed runs down the Flaxengate hill in Lincoln, with the fastest ten taking part in a 'run-off' late in the afternoon.
Teams were discouraged from running to push their soapboxes off the start line, giving a new meaning to the phrase 'standing start'. It was feared that too much speed, which might be exciting for the spectators, could be dangerous.
The Boston team was faster than the Free Wheelers, coming 16th compared to the Free Wheelers' 28th; second from bottom. According to kart builder and pilot Stewart Buckingham, that was not a problem for the Motorbike Lodge.
He said:
"We wanted to give the crowd the best chance to see us and to see how much fun Freemasonry can be."
Both karts represented a more sophisticated level of construction than can be seen on TV on some of the flimsy 'offerings' on televised Red Bull events, with sturdy chassis and effective brakes.
The potential of the event for raising the profile of Freemasonry was not lost on members from Lincolnshire, with teams from Gainsborough and Grimsby trying to apply for the popular event – but all the available places had been snapped up too quickly.
It's expected that it will return at some point, but it won't be a permanent fixture on the Lincoln social calendar in order to build anticipation and spectator attendance when it does return.
Lincolnshire's Provincial Communications Officer Stuart Pearcey was in the pit area as the crews prepared for the event.
He said:
"The atmosphere was wonderful, with great camaraderie and friendship amongst the teams – all of whom got to see a side of Freemasonry they may not have previously been aware of."
The Free Wheelers team picture includes two passing paramedics, showing the acre the organisers had put into setting up the event. We trust their presence wasn't a comment on the team's soapbox. In any event, the soapbox bug has clearly bitten Stewart Buckingham. He's on the lookout for an opening to take part in a televised Red Bull event.
He said:
"We've got the kart; let's put it to good use! There's a Red Bull flying event as well, I wonder about entering that?"
