MORE than 60 brave souls have signed up to take part in the challenging Soapbox Derby.

Thousands of people from across South Essex attended the Billericay Rotary Club event last year to watch as participants raced from Sun Corner, in Billericay, to the finish line in handmade go karts.

Teams from as far away as Lancashire are currently busy practicing and fine-tuning their go karts for the big day on May 1.

But there will be fun away from the racetrack on Sun Field, where a Family Fun Day will include bouncy castles, two children’s rides, a climbing wall and a rally car simulator.

SoapBox Derby chairman, Peter Greene said: “ We still have to do some more hard work to do, guaranteeing security and improving the racing starts all to ensure it will be even more successful and raise more money for Rotary charities than last year’s instant success which raised £26,000.

“The programme is set in stone. It is Race Day On.”

Tickets cost £5 on the day or £3 in advance.

To join in the fun and enter a go kart visit billericayrotary.org where online applications are now open.