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Atlanta Downhill Challenge Soapbox Derby


Posted :: November 14, 2008 | 4:17 pm :: Tessa Horehled

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


  • I want that car!
  • Nina
    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.
  • Hexagonal
    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...
  • 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.
  • Courtney
    Hi Tessa,
    Love your article-- This is Courtney -- The guy who crashed and died and was brought back to life when my racer crashed-- I was wearing a helmet though-- and yess outta pure excitement I did forget to grab my repelling/caving full faced helmet as I left my house in Decatur-- And the breaking system that I built for the racer was a really good one-- I actually cut a large chunk of rubber from the spare tire for my SUV and trashed the tire after to build the breaking system--

    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68075&id=...

    Here's the link-- it really is me-- In any case I would love for you to send me copies of the pictures you have as I would like to get a clear idea--as much as I can of what really happened and how I looked like when I was laying dead-- It's a very ?? reflecting experience-- well I'm sure I can use a better word than "reflecting" but afterall I did get some head injuries so my mem is not as great as it use to be!!!
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