Teams

FIREBOLT

Garage Headquarters: St. Charles, MO

Driver: Drew Kerckoff

Mechanics: Ted Destatte, Dean Dillon, Tim Dorn, Jason Hildebrandt, Jeff Counts (alternate), Sue Lakebrink (alternate)

Nuts and Bolts:

The Clayton Fire Department has a proud history of innovation. When the department saw the community's need for emergency medical services and purchased an ambulance back in 1932, it was one of the first Fire Service ambulances in the United States. Today, the department has a whole team of firefighter / paramedics serving the hub of metropolitan St. Louis. And those dedicated professionals are still innovating – albeit in an extracurricular way – as they strive to prepare an exciting entry for the Red Bull Soapbox Race.

"We're a lighthearted, energetic group composed of firefighter paramedics and bagpipers who have worked together in the same engine house for many years," grins Fire Medical Officer Tim Dorn, the team's spokesperson. "We're first-time builders, but we do have some mechanical and artistic skill. We simply want to compete and have fun." Although leisure activities for this bunch typically center around Busch Stadium (they're Cardinal fans), they've recently been spending their off hours clustered around a pile of vinyl, tubular steel, assorted bearings, and tires that are gradually coming together in the form of "The Firebolt." Only time will tell whether it's fast, but one thing is sure: The Firebolt will be safe. "Safety," Dorn nods, "is always an issue for us."