Red Bull Soap Box 2011 – Los Angeles Re-cap

Talk about an amazing experience. The Red Bull Soap Box Race was perhaps one of the most exciting events I’ve even had the honor of participating in.  When Paul Pearson (builder/driver) asked me to be a part of his team, I didn’t know what I was getting into.  I was familiar with the event but I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the concept of 110,000 people, thousands of pictures, and countless interviews.  That day I had my picture taken more in 12 hours than I had in the first 32 years of my life combined. I can’t say enough good things about the event, but I can tell you that Red Bull knows how to throw an event. From beginning to end these guys knew what to do.

There were some truly amazing teams out there. Hellado on wheels was great, the Luchadores were incredible, but my favorite had to be Jurassic Park. These guys had it all.  Best opening sketch, great race, ridiculous crash, and an incredible post-crash finish.  The Hamster Rampage had a similar philosophy to our teams. No testing, no suspension – just crash and go.

Pit row was an interesting experience when it came down to judging. Psycho Mike Catherwood stopped by and was clearly a fan of our LA political inside joke, but I had a feeling his collective man crush on the Baked Muscles would demolish us.

One of my favorite comedians Adam Carolla also had a car in the race. I didn’t get a chance to meet the Aceman, but he had a pretty spectacular crash as well.

We’re already making plans for next years Flugtag and the following year’s soap box race. I’m thinking a battleship and some seamen. Read into it all you’d like.

Paul Pearson rounding the turn after his amazing crash

Before the race, Paul mentioned that he was a little nervous since the safety co-coordinator had him remove his 6 point racing harness.  You know . . . for safety. Well, after he passed the first chicane and made it over the first jump, we all understood his concern. After his digger into the hay bails and a quick standing 8 count (Race Official: “Who are you and why are you here?” Paul: “I’m Paul and I’m here to race.”), he was back in it. Check the video at the end of the post for the spectacular crash.  We’re thinking he’s gonna make the video this year.

My girlfriend making fun of little Mexican girls. “You’ll never be tall, red, and rich! Hahahaha!” So messed up . . .

Christine and Dallas following Paul down the course

Dallas James: “I hear they have pudding at the bottom of the course.”

Christine: “Yeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! Puddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnggg! Wooooooooooo!!!”

Fast and furious: Teams bring class, sass to crazy dash through downtown LA – LA Daily News

Fast and furious: Teams bring class, sass to crazy dash through downtown LA – LA Daily News.

The City of Bell Pickpockets are gonna rock your faces off!  And by rock your faces off, we’re gonna Lip Sync a show tune and dance around in prison outfits! Yeah!

The 2009 Crew celebrated Hollywood

Tomorrow morning in downtown LA the Pickpockets are gonna going for human powered racing glory as we attempt to win the 2011 Red Bull Soapbox Race.  The non-motorized race will launch each contestant through a 1,000-foot gantlet on Grand Avenue at speeds topping 40 mph.  The current record is 47 mpg, but our Team Leader Paul Pearson is confident we can break the 50 mpg barrier.

Pit row opens at 11am on Saturday with all the teams and vehicles on display.  The first race starts at 1pm at the top of Grand Ave. before taking a steep turn on to 5th past Pershing Square.  Awards will follow the races at approximately 3:15pm. Pit Row is on S. Grand Avenue near W. 3rd Street. The race course roars down Grand and takes a fierce left onto W. 5th Street. The concessions and beer garden are located in the parking lot on the corner of 5th and S. Olive Street. There is also a FREE photo booth and additional concession stands in Pershing Square Park.

The event is 100% free and open to the public. Concessions and all vendors will only accept cash.  Check out http://www.redbullsoapboxusa.com/LosAngeles-2011/eventdayinfo.aspx for event day info and rules.

Join me and 140,000 of your closest friends as we strive for greatness.  Look for me in a fat suit . . . in prison stripes . . . jacked on Red Bull.

Ooooohh yeah! (RIP Mancho Man)

2011: Red Bull Soap box Derby

It is with great pleasure that I announce that I’ll be participating in the Red Bull Soapbox Derby with The City of Bell Pickpockets.

The car is already in full swing and I’m producing the opening sketch/musical number.  Music and theme have been selected and team leader/driver Paul Pearson’s racer is gonna rip.  The plan is to set the speed record this year so I’ve got my work cut out for me not only in producing but also in the gym so we can get that giant sled of his flying down the hill.

Here are some behind the scene pictures of the work in progress.

City of Bell Pickpockets: Red Bull - The prototype Red Bull Soapbox derby base model

Paul Pearson: The work shop

Bare bones

“City of Bell Pickpockets has hired a top notch Hollywood producer to choreograph the script!!!!!!”

This quote from the City of Bell Pickpockets graced their facebook page after I signed on.  I try not to believe my own bullshit, but I don’t mind believing other people’s.  Updates to follow.

The Event

The Red Bull Soap Box race will take place this year on May 21st on historic Grand Ave. and with the finish line at Pershing square. It’s a human-powered race of epic proportions where we’re judged on three criteria: Speed, creativity, and showmanship.  There will be crashes and dances and plenty of wacky antics due to the fact that I’ll have waaaaaaayyyyy too much taurine and caffeine running through my system.

Stranger than Fiction Public Access: The Princess Diary

Fresh off her wedding on Friday Morning, Kate Middleton offers us a peak into her life with the premiere episode of the Princess Diary. ; In her vlog we learn about her night at the Stranger than Fiction Show complete with insights about Winger, Magic Mountain, and Sesame Street. Looks like it is rogaine for everyone. Subscribe to our channel or check out http://www.stfworld.com for live show info.

Live Show update:

I’ll at the LA Connection on Friday night for my regular gig with The Stranger than Fiction Show – This week’s special guests have rumored to be everyone’s mom . . . Well maybe my mom . . . if we could re-animate her . . . and have Chad play her on stage.  It’s clearly a developing story.

The other big news involves my friends over at Red Bull . . . but we’ll just have to leave it at that.  * You see kid, that’s what we in ‘the business’ call a teaser!*

More info tomorrow!