Teams

Belles and Whistles

Garage Headquarters: Providence, RI

Driver: Tom Gomes

Mechanics: Adam Morosky, Jackson Morley, Dave Cole, Mike Eng

Nuts and Bolts:

Dave Cole, Mike Eng, Thom Gomes, Jackson Morley, and Adam Morosky are all about low-tech, accessible transport that virtually anyone can operate. But usually, their mode of wheeled transportation is the bicycle, not a soapbox racer. “We are united by the Steel Yard, a thriving community art center in Providence with classes in welding, blacksmithing, glass, ceramics, and jewelry,” explains Gomes, who will be driving the “Belles & Whistles” soapbox car. He continues, “The Steel Yard is also home to a separate nonprofit, all-volunteer community program called Recycle-a-Bike, which provides workshops in bicycle maintenance and safety, free bike repair, used bicycle recycling, and bicycle donation programs locally, throughout the United States, and overseas.”

True to their earth-friendly philosophy, the teammates are constructing their soapbox racer from used bicycle parts and recycled scrap steel. “We are inspired by human, gravity, and renewable powered transportation as an alternative to oil consumption,” Gomes notes. Because they are all involved in a variety of community art and outreach projects, the team’s biggest challenge has been finding time to get together to finish the racer; but things are coming together, and they’re looking forward to October 13. “We plan to have as much fun as possible,” Gomes declares, laughing, “Don’t try to stop us!”