Teams

Yellow Submaracers

Garage Headquarters: Freehold, NJ

Driver: Jeff Brown

Mechanics: Matt Brown, Joseph Violante, Ticia Brown, Nely Violante

Nuts and Bolts:

Some four decades ago, Jeff Brown built a soapbox car for a Cub Scouts project. Then, just last year, he put together a team for Red Bull Soapbox Providence and found that those old skills weren't quite as rusty as he thought – his entry finished in a strong fifth place. So now it's time to race again, and as usual, family and friends are coming along for the ride. Jeff's copilot for the Philadelphia contest will be his 24-year-old son, Matt, and the crew helping him to build a racer in his New Jersey garage includes his ageless wife, Ticia, as well as family friends Joseph and Nely Violante. "We are fun, nuts, energetic, determined, NUTS, and not shy," Jeff laughs, adding, "Did I mention nuts?"

After going with a campy monster theme for Providence, the teammates have chosen another colorful concept for Philly. Inspired by the many warships that have been built at the Philadelphia Navy shipyards, the group brainstormed and came up with an idea that's nautical and musical at the same time: The Beatles' Yellow Submarine. "We're going to chase Blue Meanies to the tune of 'All Together Now,' staying in character as Paul, John, George, and Ringo the entire time," Jeff explains. When asked if he thinks his team will win, he crows, "Yes!" before adding with a smile, "But who doesn't?"