A Krazy Races recap!

On Sunday 24 August, the Corn Exchange team joined the wacky and wonderful fun of the very first Newbury Krazy Races.

Thousands of spectators packed into the town centre to cheer on 20 teams as they made their way down from Strawberry Hill, raced along Oxford Street, and crossed the finish line by the Clock Tower. With soapboxes of every shape and size on display, the atmosphere was electric.

The day began with a colourful opening procession before the morning races got underway. Families explored food stalls, enjoyed live entertainment, and followed the action on the giant screen, while the headline charity Daisy’s Dream was supported throughout the event. From start to finish, it was a true celebration of community spirit in Newbury.

For the Corn Exchange crew, the adventure was as dramatic as it was fun. Eden Harrhy took the wheel for our first run, steering us safely across the line in a steady but successful time of 68.83 seconds. However, as we rolled into the pits, disaster struck with a sudden flat tyre. Thanks to the quick help of the brilliant team at Newbury Velo, we tried to breathe life back into it, but the air simply wouldn’t hold. Not willing to give up, we turned to the tried-and-tested racer’s fix – gaffa tape – and patched it up the best we could.

With the kart held together, Katie Breckenridge stepped up for the second run. Against all odds, the repair job held and we managed to beat our initial time with 61.13 seconds, much to the delight of the cheering crowd. But as we crossed the finish line, our luck finally ran out – the tyre gave up completely and there was no saving it. Sadly, this meant we had to retire earlier than hoped, but not before making our mark on the course.

While our racing was cut short, the experience was unforgettable. The creativity, camaraderie, and sheer craziness of the day made it a highlight of the summer, and we were blown away by the support from everyone who came to cheer us on. A huge thank you to all those who voted for us as their favourite team – your encouragement meant the world.

We might not have made it to the final race, but we left with big smiles, great memories, and a great amount of money raised for our Old Library Campaign.