Teams

On A Boat

Garage Headquarters: Long Beach, CA

Driver: Jason Mack

Mechanics: Matt Roumiguiere, Mike Kisling, Colby McElrath, Bob Wagner

Nuts and Bolts:

The last time Jason Mack and Matt Roumiguiere led a team to a Red Bull contest, it was 2006. They were students at Cal State Long Beach, and they “flew” a bikini-shaped aircraft at Red Bull Flugtag Tempe. “We decided that if another Red Bull event came near Long Beach, we would enter with hopes high and dreams higher,” Jason smiles. “And we promised ourselves that next time, we wouldn’t wear bikinis for our costumes.”

Three years on, Jason graduated at the top of his engineering class and works in engineering sales; Matt got his master’s degree and launched a career as a teacher; and both still channel their inner child when it comes to extracurricular shenanigans. With the soapbox race in their backyard, they’ve recruited their friends Mike Kisling and Colby McElrath (both students at CSLB) and Trent Wright (a business analyst) to join in an entry based on the song “On a Boat” by comedy rappers The Lonely Island. “The general idea will be to re-create the music video, costumes and all. We’ll also be throwing in our own original touches that won’t cease to impress,” Jason comments. The teammates admit that turning a car into a yacht is a challenge, but Jason and Matt did build replica soapboxes when they were kids. “By ‘built,’ we mean handed our dads the tools they needed,” laughs Jason with a shrug. “Plainly said, our entry will be fun, funny, and a bit wet – the crowd