Mansel Lacy

	Excitement is intense for the soap-box derby

Mansel Lacy is a tiny little village in the middle of nowhere to the north of Hereford. Beautiful half-timbered houses dot the lanes that lead to it, with cottage gardens splashing colour against the background of the lush green fields.

This is the unlikely setting for a rather sophisticated soapbox derby - and not so much of the soap box either! These are very hi-tech vehicles, with hydraulic brakes, independent suspension and worm-gear steering. The only thing that marks them out from ordinary cars is that they are completely non-polluting - they don't have an engine! Speed comes solely from gravity - aided by the nerves of the young drivers.

In the words of one of the drivers, who broadsided round the chicane, "Manic, totally manic!"