THERE is just a week to go until 60 brave people hurl themselves down “Thunder Road” in handmade soapbox go-karts.

The Rotary Club of Billericay is once again hosting the Spectacular Soap Box Derby through the town with thousands of people expected to turn out to watch as the handmade karts race down London Road from Sun Corner towards Western Road.

Sixty teams have signed up to take part in the race, which takes place on Monday, May 1 and is inspired by the popular Red Bull soap box race.

A family is among those who have bravely signed up to take part in the race and have spent the last four months building their karts - in the shape of their mum’s Smart car!

The Everard family, who live in Mons Avenue, Billericay, are now putting the final touches to their kart, called Nailed It.

The kart has taken inspiration from mum Carriann’s silver car, which she uses to promote her nail business Carriann’s Nails.

The Smart car is covered with paintings of pots of nail varnish and the team, made up of Carriann, 44, her husband Matt, 43, and their sons Louis, 16, and Zak, 13, have been faithful in replicating it to the best of their ability.

Carrian said: “This is the first year we have taken part - we went along last year to watch and it was just such a brilliant day, with a fantastic atmosphere and we all had a really fun time.

“We just thought making an even smaller version of my car would be good fun and wanted to make it look as much like it as possible so lots of hours have gone into making it.

“My children are going to push the kart off and my husband is going to drive it – he really likes things like this so I think he is looking forward to it. I’ll be there cheering them on. We’re in it to win it – but I think there will be some competition on the day.”

Matt Everard said “The kart has taken four months to design, build and prepare. We are all very excited and looking forward to the race day now.”

There will also be a fun day held at Sun Field, with bouncy castles, two children’s rides, a climbing wall and a rally car simulator.