Teams

KRYPTOBOX

Garage Headquarters: St. Charles, MO

Driver: Steven Lewis

Mechanics: Jeff Goad, Eddie Villanueva, Jason Wagenblast, Mike Walters

Nuts and Bolts:

The members of Team Kryptobox think about gravity more than most of us. That's primarily because they think about racing more than most of us. Each member of the team has made an avocation of gravity-powered racing of one sort or another. "Steven Lewis and I grew up together, always skateboarding, doing BMX, et cetera," says Mike Walters, the team spokesperson. "We got into street luge racing about six or seven years ago – that's how we met Jason and Eddie." Jason Wagenblast is on the same 939 Racing street luge team with Lewis and Walters, while Eddie Villanueva is a gravity bike racer. Over the years they've all become friends with Jeff Goad, a semi-pro downhill slalom skateboarder.

When Walters saw a commercial for the Red Bull Soapbox Race a few months ago, he immediately called his boys and told them, "This is made for us." They're stoked to compete, and, deep down, they also feel a certain responsibility as representatives of gravity racing. "Speed and control are our thing, and we know we can make it exciting for spectators," Walters says earnestly, noting that their driver will wear full leathers, gloves, a helmet, and even protective shoes. "We want to show what is possible with a gravity vehicle."