By Dinesh Gangaram and Sharlene Packree
As successful events go, Durban would be hard-pressed to top the Red Bull Box Cart Race.
Staged at Trematon Drive on Sunday, the promotion drew an estimated crowd of over 20 000 spectators who cheered on the 67 participants.
The weather was perfect, if a little windy at times and both the crowd and the racers were in high spirits throughout the day.
On display were, among others, a hospital stretcher, a broomstick, a tongue, two crocodiles, a rickshaw, a pram and the ever popular vuvuzela.
Red Bull spokesperson Taryn Cheadle was ecstatic about the crowd turnout at the inaugural event in Durban.
"We are just blown away with the turnout and the vibe here. Everybody seems to be having a blast and we are definitely going to have another one next year," she said.
The crowds were treated to plenty of thrills and more than a few spills as racers battled along the 445 metre track two at a time.
Arguably the best race of the day saw a team Tops Gun fighter plane up against the Dusi Rats canoe, with the Tom Cruise wannabe's emerging victorious.
Most of the teams were thrilled with their performances and can't wait for a repeat next year.
Team Thunderbird's driver, Sarah Queripel said: "For me, this race is a family tradition. We have being racing since 1966 and it's very special to me. This year's race was great, but next year we'll be bigger, better and faster. Watch out for us!"
The Polony team decked out in their bright pink underwear were jubilant after they beat the East Coast Radio Spirit of the Tiger team.
The Polony Team's Stratten van Wyk said: "Our race was fantastic, the crowd and atmosphere was great; we were pretty stoked to have beaten the East Coast Team. We had a laugh watching them eat our dust."
Even celebrities got into the racing spirit, Isidingo TV stars making up team On Fire.
Hlubi Maboya, who plays Nandipha, said: "I had so much of fun, the crowds here were lovely."
When all was said and done the Race Day Champions were Team Flower Power.
Their combined scores for creativity, presentation and performance on the day got the thumbs up from the judges and the grand prize of R45 000.