A seven-strong team from Avon Protection in Melksham have become this year's Red Bull Soapbox Race champions.

Avon Protection’s Team GasGasGas first competed in the Red Bull Soapbox Race in 2017 where they rolled into 14th place out of 75 teams.

This year, they beat 69 other teams at the 2019 Red Bull Soapbox Race at Alexandra Palace in London on July 7 to take first place and the title.

This year Team GasGasGas comprised of seven employees from different departments including engineering, IT and corporate.

They were team captain Nick Hunter, driver Jack Alexander, Jonny Vocat, Seb Parker, Phil Smith, Henry Chadwick and Joe White.

Mr Hunter said: “What an amazing weekend! From the point we heard we’d been selected to take part we had 90 days until race day.

"The engine with moving Red Bull can pistons really drew in the crowds at the event and scored us some creativity points with the judges so a big thank you for Seb and Phil for engineering that."Jonny was in charge of directing our start line performance which also went down well with the judges and Jack was fearless with his drive catching some impressive air over the ramps."We knew we’d put on a show to be proud of but didn’t expect to win at all. I look forward to entering it again in two years’ time to defend our title!”

Willy’s Jeep Ratrod inspired this year’s design, with the original Willy Jeep in service in the early 1940s which was commonly used in World War II.

Team GasGasGas raced down the 450 metre course at Alexandra Palace to a crowd of 20,000 people including Avon Protection employees and their families.

The team were super excited to take part in this international event, in which amateur driver’s race homemade unpowered vehicles down a track featuring ramps and chicanes.

Mr Alexander said: “I’m still in awe about GasGasGas’ achievement, a combination of robust design, technical knowledge and a smashing run.

"What really helped us was re-using the chassis from 2017, this allowed us to focus on the bodywork and design to help bring in the creativity points.

"I would like to thank everyone who supported us in our journey, came to watch us race and for giving me the opportunity to sit in pole position, a big weight on my shoulders but I’m glad I didn’t disappoint!”

They win a visit to the Red Bull Forumua One Racing Team's facilities at Milton Keynes and tickets to a Red Bull event.

Check out Team GasGasGas’s spectacular winning run here: https://twitter.com/RedBullUK/status/1147943367067574275