Teams

When in Gnome

Garage Headquarters: Berkley, MI

Driver: Nate Nelson

Mechanics: David Lamberti, Amanda Moore, Laura Lamberti, Cameron Lamberti, Joey Lamberti, Clementine Nelson

Nuts and Bolts:

When in Gnome love the open road. “Our team’s cars have a combined odometer reading of 1,436,713 miles,” captain David Lamberti says. What’s more, Amanda Moore idled at a drive-up window just long enough to say “I do” to Nate Nelson, who rebuilt his first carburetor at age eight. However, When in Gnome realize that not all creatures can just hop behind the wheel at a moment’s notice. David explains that he and his comrades intend to use Red Bull Soapbox Cincinnati 2008 as a platform to “draw attention to the plight of millions of oppressed garden gnomes around the world.”

With the battle cry of “Stop Oppressive Gardening” upon their lips, these lawn ornament liberators feverishly build their racer from recycled bicycles, fabric, papier-mâché and lawnmower parts. David remains bullish on the end result, saying that the team’s biggest challenge on race day will involve “not embarrassing the other teams with our artistry, gnomish craftwork, excellent hygiene and stylish gnome attire.” Even if his squad does take top honors, David warns that October 4 will merely mark the beginning. “Spending years imprisoned in suburban gardens has instilled in gnomes a real ‘take no prisoners’ attitude,” he says. “They’ve had a lot of time to plot, scheme and plan for eventual world domination, starting with an overwhelming victory in Cincy.”