THIS year’s Micklegate Soap Box Run is fast approaching, but this Sunday people in York will have chance to see some of the karts before the big day.

Organisers of the soap box kart race are holding the “Autohorn Micklegate Run Soapbox Challenge Scrutineering Day” this Sunday, August 13, to give competitors chance to show off their creations before they hurtle down the cobbled street.

The scrutineering event will take place at York Racecourse from 1pm until 4pm on Sunday afternoon. Entry is free and refreshments will be available.

The soap box run itself will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28 from 10am.

As well as the kart races - taking place for the second time year running - there will be a food court, live music from York’s own “Big Ian” Donaghy from the band Huge.

One corner of the city centre will also be transformed into a fairground with rides and stalls set up on Ouse Bridge.

This year the event is being opened by Shane Lynch from Boyzone who will be participating in the Run with the SNAPPY team.

There will also be two big screens showing all the action, and super cars on show.

The event is organised by the Micklegate Traders, and less than a fortnight later they are hosting an “Art in the Window” trail.

Works by local artists will be on show in shop windows up and down the street from Sunday, September 9 until the end of October.

The artwork will be available for local people to buy, and 10 per cent of the sales will be donated to York-based charity “The Island”, which helps vulnerable eight to 13 year olds who are struggling to cope at home, at school or in the wider community.

There will also be a children’s trail/ quiz running alongside the artworks to encourage more families with children to get involved.