Nottinghamshire students create The Simpsons sofa soapbox race car for big event

A group of apprentices from Nottinghamshire will be taking part in the annual Red Bull Soapbox Race later this month with their Simpsons-themed creation. Several apprentices from WEBS Furniture Training and the NC Group Limited have been accepted into the race in Alexandra Palace, London on Saturday, June 22.

The popular race is known for its wacky vehicles and fearless drivers, who will propel their soapbox car around a course in the hopes of making it to the finish line. The Nottingham group have decided to embrace The Simpsons for their cart, which will be created to look like the iconic cartoon sofa.

Members of the team will also be dressing up as characters from the show for the pre-race performance before two of them then race the car down the legendary track. Joe Bryan, upholstery training officer, is one of the teachers from WEBS Furniture Training, based in Beeston, helping the apprentices work on the project, along with Rob Palmer and Craig Martin.

WEBS Furniture Training is a not-for-profit training provider in Nottingham and trains the majority of apprentices in the area for the manufacturing sector. They are always looking for new apprentices to take on, and this year are working hard to help apprentices develop their skills further with things outside of the classroom, such as the upcoming race.

Joe said: "It's quite short notice as it's on the 22nd June and I believe we applied for it in April. It was one of those situations where we really had to get our heads together and go for it.

"Luckily we work alongside another training provider called NC Group Limited and they provide engineering qualifications. So we have worked alongside them and they have done the chassis and the wheels, breaks and steering and everything like that and we have done the furnishing side of it."

The team now just have to finish the seat, create the cushions and complete the outside back of the upholstery. Then the cart will need to be weighed and the team may carry out some adjustments if needed whilst ensuring they stay under the 80kg weight limit.

Joe added: "It's not quite finished yet, but we are getting towards the end of it." The apprentices working on the cart are all ranging in specialities, which some focusing on the engineering side, and others on woodwork or upholstery.

The team have been "buzzing" with excitement ahead of the big day, which is now less than a fortnight away. The training officers will also be offering support to them on the day in the form of a pit crew.

However, the race is known for being difficult and often results in the soapbox cars being badly damaged. Joe stated: "We are a bit gutted about that with the work we have put into it, but we do understand that if it comes back in a few pieces that is just the nature of the race."