Moments after the Great Chicken Crash of 2008, drivers Elizabeth & Jenny could be heard saying, “Thank goodness for seatbelts!”
Yes, we installed seatbelts in our soapbox. They weren’t mandatory, but if you’re going to be building a soapbox cart and it’s feasible, install them.
Ours were pretty simple. Just a carabiner attached to rope that was tied in a knot on the underside of the cart, with light foam padding around the rope (to prevent rope burn on the stomach).
Depending on your soapbox design, you could also consider a firewall. Think about installing a proper roll bar, which we sacrificed in our design due to weight restriction considerations.
Oh, and even though helmets, gloves, and long-sleeve shirts & pants are mandatory according to Red Bull’s rules, make sure you actually wear them. Seriously.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll walk away from a soapbox crash in pristine condition like Elizabeth & Jenny did!
If anyone from ICBC is reading this, we’re available for commercials. 🙂
Tags: chicken soapbox crash, seatbelts, Soapbox, soapbox safety