HOMEMADE vehicles are set to race down a hill in a village near Evesham and it's not too late to enter. 

Described as a "good laugh", The Badsey Soapbox Races will be returning to the village in August. 

The event, which has been running since 2016, is sponsored by the parish council, who are currently looking for more volunteers to help run the races. 

(Image: Badsey Soapbox Races)

Andy Wilson, a member of the soapbox committee at Badsey and Aldington Parish Council, said: "We ran our first race in 2016 and apart from a covid enforced break in 2020 and 2021 it has been held on every Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend.

"The idea came from a bunch of us sat in a bar, and someone had been at the Tetbury races and said that they wanted to give it a go. 

"We said that it sounded like a fun idea and it's been a yearly event ever since.

"It's free to watch, but it's always fun and a good laugh. 

"The course is approximately 650m down Knowle Hill into the village and we use The Wheatsheaf Inn as our race HQ."

This year's races will take place on August 25 with the first soapboxes arriving at The Wheatsheaf Inn at around 10am for adjudication before the races begin at 1pm.

Entering a soapbox into the races will cost £30 and racers must sign up before August 16.

(Image: Badsey Soapbox Races)

Mr Wilson continued: "The races are usually popular and we have had some good-looking karts in the past. 

"I think last year we had 13 drivers and everyone had a lot of fun.

"It's a bit early to know how many drivers we will have this year but hopefully we will have a good turnout. 

"Everyone normally has one practice run to get to know the course, and two other runs with the winner being the driver with the fastest time between them.

"We are not trying to reproduce the Red Bull Races so they are not taken too seriously except by some drivers, but it's a good day out."

The bridge over Badsey Brook will be the finishing line and the event will have a BBQ, a bar and an ice cream van.