Game Of Thrones, Thomas The Tank Engine and Poldark were among the inspirations for madcap vehicles careering down a hill course for the Red Bull Soapbox Race.
Some 65 home-made machines hurled themselves down a 420-metre course at Alexandra Palace in north London.
Only their equally home-made brakes stood between them and a momentous crash in front of 20,000 spectators.
The course was equally a slalom as a downhill, with chicanes and ramps among the obstacles designed to outfox the machines.
The carts included one which carried an Iron Throne from Game Of Thrones, Dick Dastardly from Wacky Races and Laurel and Hardy.
Teams were scored on speed, creativity and showmanship. The overall winners were the Breakfast Club, which was a team from Absolute Radio's breakfast show.
Presenter Christian O'Connell, who rode in the soapbox, later tweeted: "It was terrifying yet one of the most amazing things I've ever done."
The People's Choice Award was won by Turtle Heads, a team from Coventry consisting of driver Kevin Thomas, 28, his brother Danny Thomas, 30, Sam Wright, 29, and Andrea Popovic, 25.
They were taking part for the first time in a soapbox racer based on Crush, the sea turtle in Finding Nemo.
Kevin said: "We had a breakage but it still got us over the finishing line, so it was great."
Co-pilot Sam added: "It was all a blur. All you could see were colours going down beside you and people screaming. It was just amazing, such a good feeling."
The race took place in sunshine before the heavens opened as the winners received their prizes.