Teams

Koopa Troopa

Garage Headquarters: Athens, GA

Driver: Matt Lott

Mechanics: Patrick McCoullough, Jack Grovenstein, Nicole Lemm, Henry Spain

Nuts and Bolts:

We all know the fable about the tortoise winning the race. But that wasn’t what Jack Grovenstein, Nicole Lemm, Matt Lott, Patrick McCoullough, and Henry Spain were thinking of when they decided to center their soapbox theme on a turtle. This August 29, the five University of Georgia students will be channeling Koopa Troopa, the intrepid tortoise-like creature from the Mario video game series. Competitors beware: As anyone with a joystick knows, Koopa is generally friendly; but if you cross him, he might throw his shell at you!

In their rare free time – when they’re not studying or working together at Athens nightspots City Bar and General Bauregard’s – the teammates are building their reptilian racer at Matt’s house. This isn’t their first attempt at greatness: they previously collaborated on an entry for Atlanta’s Red Bull Chariot Race. Other than affirming that they’re planning some “shenanigans” for the soapbox event this summer, they’re keeping their plans for a skit on the down low. They do, however, promise the crowd something fun and different. Matt, the only graduate student in the bunch, has taken the reins as team captain and will also pilot the vehicle down Tenth Street. He says that in his view, the race is all about “having a good time with some cool people,” and, when asked if he thinks Koopa Troopa can dominate the course, answers decisively, “Hell yes!”