Colourful homemade carts take over Sandton streets this weekend

For the first time in nearly a decade, Johannesburg will once again feel the thrill as a race that launched in Belgium in the year 2000, and has enjoyed more than 160 editions across 53 countries, makes a return to this city.

The Red Bull Box Cart Race returns to Jozi on Sunday, 4 October, where Mzansi’s most gloriously unqualified engineers take over Sandton Drive in homemade carts.

The race has not been on Jozi’s tracks since September 2018, although it has been active in other parts of the country, with the most recent race having taken place in Cape Town just two years ago, attracting a crowd of more than 22,000 spectators.

The box carts are built from scratch the teams of five will start off with a skit performance at the start line before handing over to a driver and co-driver who will have to navigate their way through various obstacles throughout the course.

There’s no limit to how the racers dress their carts up; the organisers leave this entirely up to the collective thought process of the team members.

The team members themselves usually rock matching outfits or present as colourful characters, giving audiences the opportunity to pick their favourites.

There are no motors, no batteries and no catapults; all that the drivers have to work with are a working steering wheel and brakes; the rest is up to imagination and the powers that be.

The teams are judged on creativity, speed and showmanship. And while this year’s judges are going to be a surprise, previous panellists have included rally driver Giniel de Villiers, rapper Nasty C, Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada, Courtnaé Paul and comedian Dalin Oliver.

Details on road closures can be found on the Red Bull website; however, the brand has confirmed that Sandton Drive, Grayston Drive, Alice Lane and 5th Street will very likely be affected. The event is free of charge.

Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! While you're at it, sign up for our newsletter to receive even more of the best of your city.