Catterline Cartie Challenge
The Catterline Cartie Challenge is a competition for homemade soapbox carts (or "carties", as they are known locally) held annually in Catterline, near Stonehaven, Scotland. It is part of the Catterline Gala Weekend and is held annually on the second weekend in June, with the carties being displayed at the gala on the Saturday and then time-trialed down the brae from the Creel Inn to the harbour the following day.
It was first held on 11/12 June 2005, when 11 carties were entered. The number of entries has grown in subsequent years, and in 2008 there were 26 carties taking part.
Prizes are awarded for the single fastest run (The Connons Shield), fastest aggregate time (Constructors Championship), Best Engineered, Best Decorated, Champagne Moment, Furthest Travelled, Cartie Sprint and "The Great Catterline Cartie Race".
The course is almost exactly 1000ft (304.8m) long with a drop of almost 100ft (30.5m) from start to finish, and the carties can reach speeds of around 30mph at the finish line. As a result, the construction rules require the carties to have adequate brakes and steering. Other than these safety considerations, however, there are very few restrictions on the size and shape of the carties, and as a consequence there tends to be a wide range of designs entered, with many teams eschewing pure speed in favour of colourful novelty carties. These carties are very popular with the spectators and are often more memorable than the eventual winners.
Winners
2009
Connons Shield
- 1st. The Cheats / Tequilla Slammer
- 2nd. A La Cartie / The Auld Alliance
- 3rd. Bervie Allstars / The Bervie Bomber
Constructors Trophy
- 1st. The Cheats / Tequilla Slammer
- 2nd. Bitter and Twisted / Once a Fortnight
- 3rd. Team Weasel / The Flying Ferret
2008
Connons Shield
- 1st. A La Cartie / The Auld Alliance
- 2nd. Firstdrive Cars / The Bandit
- 3rd. Team Riley / The Black Bomber
Constructors Trophy
- 1st. Bitter and Twisted / Once a Fortnight
- 2nd. Firstdrive Cars / The Bandit
- 3rd. A La Cartie / The Auld Alliance
2007
Connons Shield
- 1st. Chariots of Fire / Elijah
- 2nd. The Cheats / Tequilla Slammer
- 3rd. Firstdrive B / The Bandit
Constructors Trophy
- 1st. Bitter and Twisted / Once a Fortnight
- 2nd. Firstdrive Cars / The Bandit
- 3rd. Tequila Slammer MkIII / The Cheats
2006
Connons Shield
- 1st. Bitter and Twisted / Once a Fortnight
- 2nd. A La Cartie / The Auld Alliance
- 3rd. The Cheats / Tequila Slammer
Constructors Trophy
- 1st. The Cheats / Tequila Slammer
- 2nd. Firstdrive Cars / The Bandit
- 3rd. The Dragster / Checkpoint Racing
2005
Connons Shield
- 1st. Chariots of Fire / Elijah
- 2nd. Team Scozzie / Creel Runnings
- 3rd. The Cheats / Tequilla Slammer