A SOAPBOX racing team from Southend is preparing to go head-to-head with 60 teams from around the country after earning a spot at a world famous Red Bull race.

The Red Bull soapbox race will see teams build their own unique vehicle – on as cheap of a budget as possible – and ride through a steep track filled with obstacles live on ITV.

Greg Biscoe, James Cullinder, his brother John and Jake Trask, all from Southend, believe they are the first team from the city to compete in the race and are now hard at work to prepare their soapbox for the big event next month.

Jake, 31, and his friends are one of just 60 teams selected to be in the event after more than 2,000 applied.

Echo: Make it fast - The team work on a vehicleMake it fast - The team work on a vehicle (Image: Jake Trask)

He said they were “over the moon” when they got the news but the hard work starts now as they get their soapbox ready and practice ahead of taking on the infamous track.

Jake said: “When I found out, I was going crazy and I called up Greg who was at work at the time and he started screaming.

“We are so excited. We’re now going to build our car in our friend’s workshop.”

The Red Bull Soapbox Race started in 2000 and challenges the most fearless and foolhardy teams to prototype and create the wackiest rides and propel them to the finish line.

The race will take place on June 22 at Alexandra Palace and will be broadcast on ITV with over 20,000 people expected to attend.

Echo: Jake with their carJake with their car (Image: Jake Trask)

Jake will be raising money for the mental health charity, Mind, while Greg will be supporting Dementia UK.

“I have suffered from depression before so this cause is really important to me,” said Jake.

“I want to make more people aware of it, I hope there will be lots of people tuning in or coming to watch us live. Its also going to be really helpful for our companies.”

The team all work in Southend. Jake runs a car dealership called Car Kingdom Southend, while John and James work for BC Media which is run by Greg.

Leading up to the big day, the team have been building their car from scratch and preparing special outfits to surprise viewers.

Jake said: “I just hope we don’t crash. You see so many crashes on TV and I hope that’s not us.”