A VERY nice £200 cash prize will be up for grabs when racers take to the streets in their homemade go-karts next weekend.

More than 30 teams will battle it out to crowned the winners of the very first Great Dunmow Soapbox Race which will raise cash for causes in the nearby area.

It is a sport made famous by Red Bull which sees everyday people create homemade go-karts powered by nothing but gravity and sheer courage.

The 32 karts and their passengers race down a hill going over jumps and other obstacles against the clock.

Soapboxes are usually decorated with a novelty theme and are put through their paces by the obstacles sometimes resulting in spectacular crashes making it a great spectacle - if not a little painful for those racing.

Irene Van Den Ende, the chairman of Great Dunmow Round Table, which is running the event, said: “We’re really excited to be hosting Great Dunmow’s first soapbox race, I think it will be very popular and will hopefully raise the charity a lot of money while bringing the community together.

“The Great Dunmow Soapbox Race wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors so a special thanks has to be said to our headline sponsor, Weston Homes.”

It will take place on May 27 and there is free entry for spectators who can make an optional donation at the gate.

Doors open at 10:30am and races begin at 11am with other activities for all ages including a bar, food, bouncy castles and stalls.

Professional comedian, Gary Shaw will be commentating and a large crowd is anticipated so get there early if possible.

Each team will have two chances to race down the 918 foot (280 metre) track and will be scored on quickest time, soapbox design and crowd pleasing.

The judges will be former mayor Danielle Frost, Red Bull Racing engineer Sam Titchner and Darren Cox, who owns Jacks of Dunmow.