Autoblog UK

Zebco, the fishing reel maker out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was recently asked to participate in the Sand Springs soapbox derby in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Upon hearing that aerospace companies would be at the party, the Zebco employees charged with devising an entrant figured they'd better bring their A-game. What they created was the object you see above: a three-wheeled, knee-height, fully-faired downhill racer that has to be one of the best looking soapbox challengers ever created. The credit crunch probably hasn't gotten around to the fishing reel industry yet, but if it does, might we suggest you call Boeing, Tesla and A123 to see what you can all come up with.

Track junkies have one more option vying for their hard-earned cash. Using the same philosophy as vehicles from Lotus, Caterham and KTM, the Fuoss 01 relies on its light weight for acceptable performance. But with only a 40-hp, 400cc Suzuki motorcycle engine motivating the 660-pound one-seater, V-Max is a very limited 90 mph. Regardless, the Fuoss should be an entertaining track tool, particularly with its five-speed sequential transmission cribbed from Suzuki keeping the motor on boil. The driver sits as low as possible and with no heavy roof overhead, mass is centralized down low. Only ten examples are planned for its first year of production in 2009, so if you want one of the €29,000 machines, you'd better act fast.