LOS ANGELES (August 20, 2017) Turns, bumps and jumps proved to be just minor roadblocks for team ‘OJ and the White Bronco’, who took first place in Red Bull Soapbox Race Los Angeles 2017 The event challenged 61 teams to race their homemade, gravity-powered soapbox racers down Angels Point Road leading them to chicanes, hairpin corners and a jump, before screeching across the finish line. An uproarious crowd of 55,000 fans filled Elysian Park to watch the action.
‘OJ and the White Bronco’ team members originally hail from Jamaica, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Malibu, Calif, but now all call Los Angeles home. The fun-loving group were up for the challenge as they achieved their goal of ‘winning and not crashing too bad’ in their first-ever Red Bull event.
“The crowd was amazing, it’s so good to have your friends and family cheering you on in your hometown,” said team captain Jacob Petway. “We spent the last month and a half working on this craft. It meant a lot to us coming out on top.”
When asked the secret to winning, the answer was simple: “Go fast – no brakes, and know that you’re the best.”
Capping off a successful cross-country journey, Florida-based team ‘Swamp Monkeys’ rode their swamp cruiser to a second place finish. Also making their way onto the podium was ‘Team Spicy Noodle’, who finished the race in a speedy 54 seconds earning them a third place finish.
The arrival of the Red Bull Air Force and an exciting exhibition ride by Red Bull street freestyle motorsport athlete Aaron Colton marked the event’s start.
The teams were scored based on three criteria – speed, creativity and showmanship – by the event judges:
- • Alex Caruso – Los Angeles Laker Point Guard
- Mikey Garcia – three-weight World Champion Boxer
- Joey Brezinski – professional skateboarder
- Mike “Hucker” Clark – BMX Freestyle star
- Patty Rodriguez – radio personality and producer from “On Air With Ryan Seacrest”
(Photo credit: Keyang Pang) 
(Photo credit: Keyang Pang)
The top three teams took home custom Red Bull Soapbox Race Los Angeles awards, with team ‘OJ and the White Bronco’ taking home top prize, a VIP Experience and ride-along at Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) Los Angeles in October.
Team ‘The Shoey’ was honored by fans with the People’s Choice Award. Their craft was inspired by Red Bull F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo who is known for his signature celebratory move, where he removes his shoe, pours champagne in it, and takes a gulp after winning a Formula1 race.
“It was great to experience the day with the other 60 teams,” said ‘The Shoey’ Team Captain Christopher Wang. “Los Angeles is such a special city and you were able to see that today with the amount of unique teams competing.”
In addition to the action on the track, fans were treated to a variety of interactive entertainment and gourmet food options in the partner village, which featured the BF Goodrich Garage, 7-Eleven Photo Booth and more.
This global event dates back to 2000, when it first took place in Belgium. Red Bull has held more than 100 soapbox races around the world from Australia to South Africa, Helsinki to St. Louis, Jamaica to Italy having visited almost 50 countries and drawn crowds upwards of 100,000. The 2017 Red Bull Soapbox Race in Los Angeles will mark the 21st time that the event has taken place in the U.S., with the first U.S. arrival happening in St. Louis in 2006. This will be the third time the race has taken over the streets of Los Angeles.
