Teams

The Bumpas

Garage Headquarters: Freehold, NJ

Driver: Jeff Brown

Mechanics: Robert Felicito, Paul Martelloni, Diana Mennella, Eric Plough

Nuts and Bolts:

If you take the New Jersey Turnpike north to Exit 7A, you’ll come to the New York City suburb of Freehold. And once in Freehold, if you follow the sound of hammering, good-natured banter, and uncontrollable laughter, you’ll find the garage-cum-woodshop of Jeffrey Brown, where the 54-year-old executive is producing his fourth soapbox racer. Jeff created his first soapbox car about forty years ago, for a Cub Scouts project. Then his racing jones lay dormant until 2007, when he entered the Red Bull Soapbox Race in Providence with a coffin car that finished in a strong fifth place. Last year, the contest in Philadelphia was so wet that Jeff couldn’t chart a course for victory, even in his submarine-shaped racer; but the experience didn’t drown his enthusiasm. He’s back again for Atlanta, a confirmed soapbox addict.

Jeff’s enterprising enablers this time around are Robert Felicito and Paul Martelloni (both in sales), Diana Mennella (an administrator), and Eric Plough (conveniently, an auto mechanic). “Even in this economy, every one of us has a job,” Jeff laughs, “but not for long if our bosses catch us building the car.” This year’s vehicle is designed to bring the flavor of Coney Island to the Peach State – the racer looks like two bumper cars, with the car in the rear nosing the first one all the way down the track. It’s a clever concept, but can it win? A matter-of-fact Jeff shrugs and asks, “Who thinks their soapbox will lose?”