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Seb super while Horner courts controversy

ESPN Staff
July 15, 2013
Sebastian Vettel tackles the 500m course © Getty Images
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Sebastian Vettel donned a Super Mario costume to take part in Red Bull's Soapbox Derby in Germany at the weekend, completing the downhill course in a gravity-powered go-kart.

The three time world champion removed his fake moustache before the run, presumably to gain an aerodynamic advantage, and launched his soapbox racer down the 500m course, getting airborne over jumps. As one of the judges at the event he was not an official competitors but entered into the full spirit of the event nonetheless, to the delight of the locals lining the course in the town of Herten.

Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was taking part in a sister event at Alexandra Palace in London. Horner drove a soapbox racer made of old parts of Red Bull F1 cars and dressed in full Red Bull overalls and helmet. However, there was an air of controversy surrounding his run as he had the final hay-bale chicane removed in order for the course to be wide enough for his factory-built racer.

Nevertheless, it was the Newcastle-based Spit-Phya team that won the London event in a soapbox resembling Donald Campbell's land-speed record breaking Bluebird.

© Getty Images
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