YOUNGSTERS from a Barnsley secondary school showed off their racing skills last weekend by finishing on the podium at a soapbox race.

Two teams from Trinity St Edward’s Academy competed at the annual Humber Bridge Soapbox Derby last weekend.

The teams, made up of 18 pupils aged 13 to 15, constructed two soapbox cars, based on the Batmobile from Batman and the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters.

It’s the second year the school have taken part in the competition - with the idea coming from Brent Carlin, co-ordinator of design and technology at the academy.

He told the Chronicle: “When I arrived at the academy, I brought the idea to enter the soapbox with me, and it’s been very popular.

“Our pupils helped modify and design the body of the cars, they go on top of a chassis we pre-make.”

Those driving the Batmobile soapbox were able to make the final of the competition, as well as being the second fastest at the event as a whole.

They also received commendation as the fastest youth team at the competition.

The other team were only a fraction away from the final as well, finishing fourth.

Brent added: “We were overjoyed.

“On the day, seeing the pupils’ teamwork, whether that be as runners, pushing the soapbox at the start, or driving them, it was great to see.

“It takes a lot of guts to drive one of those cars as well, they go about 30mph, which in a normal car doesn’t seem very fast, but in a homemade soapbox feels a lot quicker.

“It was also nice to see so many parents there as well, these events take up a lot of time for staff so to see so much recognition is great.”