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Atlanta Downhill Challenge Soapbox Derby

November 14th, 2008

This weekend, Enterwoven is throwing the third annual Atlanta Downhill Challenge, presented by Metromix at the Starlight Drive-In (2000 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316). For a mere $5, you can check out 70 carts race and 5 local bands! No excuses. Cars must all be checked in by 10AM.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit local non-profits: PALS Atlanta, Our Pals Place & WonderRoot. Pick up some nom’s from vendors such as Park Grounds Coffee, Jakes Icecream, Lottafrutta, Aces and DulceVegan. It’s BYOB so be sure to fill that cooler up before heading down. Lawn chairs are also suggested!

Band Line-Up:
1:00PM - 1:45PM : The Hollywood Kills
2:00PM - 2:45PM : All Get Out
3:00PM - 3:45PM : Ponderosa
4:00PM - 4:45PM : Here Come The Mummies
5:00PM - 6:00PM : Snowden

Drive A Faster Car is an official sponsor
of the Atlanta Downhill Challenge this year!

Be sure to drop by our tent and step on our DaFC Soapbox! Let us know what you think of the bands, the carts, the rain that isn’t going to fall, the vendors, your lack of beer, etc. We’re going to film everyone and give you guys who can’t make it, a recap of the event next week. We are also giving away samplers from StickFigure and winners of the Atlanta Downhill Challenge will win concert tickets, courtesy of Drive A Faster Car, in addition to many more prizes!

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Posted in Atlanta Events, Atlanta Links, Concert/Festival, Local Music, Music

10 Responses to “Atlanta Downhill Challenge Soapbox Derby”

  1. John Says:
    November 14th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

    I want that car!

  2. Nina Says:
    November 15th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    There was a terrifying crash at the soap box derby today. Please post any updates on the condition of the driver. Many of us are wondering and wishing for the best.

  3. Hexagonal Says:
    November 15th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    circular reference: here’s what the Loaf has on the soapbox crash today, which mentions Tessa’s relevant twitters:

    http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/11/15/serious-injury-at-atlanta-downhill-challenge-soapbox-derby/#comments

  4. Tessa Says:
    November 16th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

    Reposting my comment that I left on the Creative Loafing blog post regarding the accident at the Atlanta Downhill Challenge yesterday:

    I also heard similar rumors regarding his attitude towards wearing a helmet and his disregard of the matter. All of the participants are informed of the risk and sign consent forms. I believe they had requested to have two ambulances at the event but were not supplied with them (another rumor, this is nothing I am sure of). There were a number of medical professionals nearby who were able to stabilize him before the paramedics arrived. (20 minutes later - gah!) He did regain consciousness before the paramedics arrived but was unconscious for a good 5-7 minutes after the crash.

    The car crashed due to poor brakes and the driver attempted to turn too sharp and fast to avoid hitting hay barrels that were the border between the raceway and the audience. The car flipped over and the helmet flew off of the driver before he ever hit the ground. He landed on first impact directly on his head. The car continued to roll dragged him with it, his body still in the vehicle. When the vehicle stopped, he was laying on his side hanging out of the vehicle unconscious. I have photos of the entire thing due to covering the event for my blog as a sponsor (while he was in the car before being extracted to help) which are a bit disturbing, in particular, the direct impact of the first hit he suffered. I did not realize what had happened until I saw him not move once the car had stopped and I scrolled back through my photos.

    I feel very bad for the individual who suffered this accident but I have to say that he set himself up for it. This is a perfect example of “why you need to wear a helmet kids!” Any responsible individual his age (early 30s) should understand the risks of the steepness of the hill, his handmade car, the leaves, terrain, etc. Wear a stupid helmet. Nobody is indestructible.

  5. Tessa Says:
    November 16th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

    My tweets from yesterday:
    http://twitter.com/tessa/status/1007320047
    http://twitter.com/tessa/status/1007321624
    http://twitter.com/tessa/status/1007489483
    http://twitter.com/tessa/status/1007490798

  6. Nina Says:
    November 16th, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    Thanks for the updates! I am seriously breathing a sigh of relief right now.

  7. Tessa Says:
    November 16th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    Update: The soapbox racer is being released from the hospital. Rebekha will be posting an update with money raised, etc soon.

  8. wesley what what Says:
    November 17th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    here’s what happened:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHqCNN3E4TI

  9. jeph Says:
    November 17th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    sorry i couldnt make it over to the tent to talk some more. for some unexplained reason, we kept being sent to the top of the hill to race again. charles barkley failed to show up to race us in his “hoopster.” 2nd place will have to do.

  10. Rebekha Says:
    December 5th, 2008 at 11:09 am

    I wanted to say thank you to everyone who came out and supported the event. Courtney (the person n the crash) is in positive spirits and keeps telling me about how he is going to modify his cart for next year. He says, the wheels were too small to hold the body. I have really been blessed with a wonderful new friend out of a negative situation.

    We started a fund raiser for Courtney. Here is the following information:

    Please send money to his friend Fern who is handling all the money on his behalf. We are using PayPal and if needed her g-mail address is: fern.lovelace@gmail.com

    Here is the donation link:
    https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=KJR3ARSGKDHCC&lc=US&item_name=Courtney%2dSoap%20Box%20Derby%202008&item_number=Cpegus&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3aPB150198%2ejpg%3aNonHosted

    Tessa, thank you so much for all your messages and being a wonderful 2008 sponsor!

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