Safran takes on Burnley Soapbox Challenge as gold sponsor

One of Burnley’s largest employers is getting behind the town’s Soapbox Challenge, with global aerospace company Safran announced as a gold sponsor. The Safran team won’t just be watching from the sidelines, they are going for gold and are preparing to put their engineering expertise to the test and take the Manchester Road course by storm. 

The Burnley Soapbox Challenge on Saturday 12 June 2027 will see homemade gravity powered karts tackle a spectacular course through Burnley town centre, complete with a huge start ramp, water jumps, chicanes and other obstacles.

Safran already has plenty of soapbox experience. Its cart was originally designed for the inaugural Colne Soapbox Race and has since competed at events including Bradford and Accrington. The team has high hopes of adding a Burnley success to its record, with sights firmly set on the podium.

John Fitzpatrick, health and safety manager at Safran, said: “We’ve had some good competition in the past over at Bradford and Accrington, and we’re looking forward to taking the podium at least in Burnley next year.

“It’s going to be fantastic. We’ve got a huge start ramp, water jumps, chicanes and it’s going to be right through the town centre, which will be brilliant for Burnley.

“It’s also a great opportunity to talk about Safran and what we do. We’re a huge aerospace company that perhaps not enough people locally are familiar with. We currently employ upwards of 700 people and have lots of opportunities, with significant recruitment taking place over the next 12 to 18 months.”

Safran specialises in highly technical aerospace engineering, and the expertise of its Burnley workforce has even found its way into the team's soapbox. The company manufactures components for aircraft including the Airbus A330neo, with its Burnley operation producing highly technical aerospace equipment. Some of the assembly processes and techniques used within the business have been borrowed by the team to create its top class racing machine.

The company’s gold sponsorship will support the 2027 Burnley Soapbox Challenge as it brings businesses, community organisations and spectators together for a major event in the heart of the town.

Lukman Patel, chief executive of Burnley Council, said: “It is great to see Burnley businesses getting behind the Burnley Soapbox Challenge and supporting what promises to be a fantastic event for the town. Safran is a major local employer and a great example of the engineering expertise and innovation we have here in Burnley.

“I’d encourage everyone to get involved, whether by entering a team or becoming a sponsor. It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase our town, bring people together and raise money for three fantastic local charities.”

Murray Dawson, organiser of the Burnley Soapbox Challenge and managing director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “To have a company of Safran’s scale and standing getting behind the 2027 Burnley Soapbox Challenge as a gold sponsor is fantastic. 

“Safran is a major Burnley employer with some incredible engineering talent on its doorstep, so you couldn’t ask for a better fit for an event that is all about creativity, innovation, teamwork and building something capable of flying down Manchester Road.

“They’ve also thrown down the gauntlet by saying they’re coming for the podium. We know there are some brilliant engineers, manufacturers and creative people across Burnley and East Lancashire, so I’d love to see a few more teams step forward and take them on.”

The event will also have an important charitable impact, with team entry fees supporting three local charities – Healthier Heroes, Burnley Youth Theatre and Blaze Arts.

Members of the community, businesses, organisations, and groups of friends are being encouraged to design and build their own soapboxes and join Safran on the starting line.

Places are still available on a free workshop hosted by Burnley College, Build Your Own Soapbox: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/burnley-soapbox-challenge-workshop-tickets-2000408760452

Sponsorship opportunities are also still available for businesses that want to be part of the 2027 event.

Murray added: “This is the first Burnley Soapbox Challenge in years and we want the whole town to embrace it. Having major local employers such as Safran backing the event is a huge vote of confidence, and we’re looking forward to announcing more exciting partners as we build towards next June.”