By ALLISON DAVIS and ARMAND EMAMDJOMEH
With the rehearsed poise of an elderly bureaucrat who has sat through many a meeting, President Larry Martin of the Recreation and Park Commission rested his head on his hands and closed his eyes. It was the 854th regular meeting of the commission, and by the time Agenda Item 15 was reached, the room was nearly empty and the seven-member commission unanimously approved a measure to permit the Red Bull Soapbox Derby to roll.
Discussion about the event, which will take place October 18th from 10:00 a.m to 5 p.m. in Dolores Park, provided the only humor in a night filled with discussions of playground sand and yacht slips.
“What happened to Chevrolet and little kids, now we’re adults and Red Bull?” Commission Vice President Jim Lazarus wondered aloud.
Presenter Danny Cardigan was hesitant to elaborate on the details of the race, which will be free to the public.
“I’ll leave that to your imagination.”
Producer Mountain Sports International also sought and was granted approval to sell food, beverages, alcohol and merchandise and to use amplified sound in the park from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
By the time the Derby organizers asked for their variance, the elderly Richmond residents who had complained earlier about noise at a summer festival in Golden Gate Park had already left and no one else in the nearly empty room—one man slept in a corner—objected to the possibility of more noise on the day of the race.
Red Bull has produced more than 35 soapbox races around the world, in countries such as Australia, Finland, Italy, Jamaica and South Africa. Forty to 50 teams will race at the event where they will be graded on their speed, creativity and showmanship, according to the race website at www.redbullsoapboxusa.com.
An online game simulating the race is also available on the website.