Warning to commuters: 10^th Street will be packed with traffic on Saturday, Aug. 29.  I know what you’re thinking: traffic? On a Saturday?

Not your traditional kind of traffic.  The street with be packed with more than 50 soapbox “road warriors” chosen to compete in the first ever Red Bull Soapbox Race in the Southeast!

Spectators will have the opportunity to see some of the most talented soapbox racers in the country, some of whom trekked to the Peach State all the way from Wisconsin and New Jersey.  Speed and creativity must combine to single out the college student, cycling enthusiast, or engineer who will take home the grand prize, a weekend with Red Bull Racing at NASCAR.  Second place will win a hands-on driving experience with Skip Barber Mazda Driving School at Road Atlanta, and third place will attend a raceway driving school.  An additional People’s Choice Award will go to the team that spectators voting via SMS believe was the most creative and energetic.

But the competitors are operating under some strict rules of the road.  Every soapbox must be powered by gravity and imagination alone – no stored power or external energy sources.  In addition, all vehicles must meet a size requirement of less than 6 feet wide and 20 feet long.  The vehicles must stretch no more than 7 feet tall and must weigh under 176 lbs unmanned.  Five-person teams can be composed of volunteers of all ages, but the driver must be at least 18 years old.

The racing pits open at 11 am and the first race starts at 1 pm.  The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, including team bios and photos from past races, visit www.RedBullSoapBoxRace.com.