General Information
Tickets & Registration
All Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. You can request changes to your registration for $25 by clicking the "Registration Changes" link on the home page Log In menu. Please note that we cannot guarantee these changes will be processed once registration has closed. We encourage that registration is treated as final.
Helmets are Required
All participants are required to wear a helmet for the derby, and there are no exceptions. Our first priority is that all of our participants are safe. Helmet checks will be performed at registration and are a prerequisite for participation. Bicycle, motorcycle, or football helmets are acceptable.
Steering Limitation is Required
There are no turns on the track at the derby, so there is only a need for about 5 degrees of steering capability. Oversteering can cause a vehicle to overturn or leave the track which can cause a safety issues for both spectators and participants. Steering checks will be performed at registration and are a prerequisite for participation.
Braking Capability is Required
It is recommended that a pedal brake is used, but other options for braking are allowed. It's also recommended that light materials are used so the brake is able to easily attain stopping power. Braking capabilities are inspected at registration and are a prerequisite for participation.
CAR SAFETY
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Cars should be scratch builds (kits are not eligible for speed trophies)
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Cars require two front and two rear wheels
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Wheels must maintain ground contact at all times
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Cars are limited to 2 runs (1 run for drivers under 7yrs)
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Cars are limited to 3 occupants (1 driver, up to 2 passengers)
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Cars are limited to 6 participants (2 runs, up to 3 occupants each)
MANDATORY CAR DIMENSIONS
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Axle Length (front & rear) Maximum 5 Feet (outside wheels)
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Maximum ‘Overall’ Length is 7 Feet for Under 18 Age Group
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Maximum ‘Overall” Length is 8 Feet for 18+ Age Group
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Wheelbase (front to back axle measurement) Minimum 40″
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Ground Clearance (Floorboard to ground) Minimum 3″, Maximum 7” to ensure low center of gravity
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Width Maximum of 6 Feet
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Height Maximum of 5 Feet
Award Categories
The Derby awards the three fastest participants in each heat. Additionally, cars can win awards in the following categories:
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Most Original: Think outside the box (or should we say, outside the soap box)! This award goes to the car that's truly one-of-a-kind, something we've never seen before at the derby. If people are scratching their heads wondering "How did they come up with THAT?" and "I wish I'd thought of it first!" then you're on the right track!
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Most Creative: Innovation meets imagination! Judges will look for clever design concepts, inventive themes, and imaginative approaches to the challenge. Whether it's a brilliant visual idea, an unexpected twist on a familiar concept, or a "wow, what a creative solution!" moment, this celebrates big-picture innovation and artistic vision.
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Most Humorous: The car that gets the biggest laughs wins! Whether it's a silly theme, funny decorations, or a design that makes spectators giggle, this award celebrates the cars that bring joy and smiles to the track.
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Best Craftsmanship: Quality construction wins the day! This award recognizes technical skill and attention to detail like the smoothest welds, precise measurements, flawless paint jobs, and sturdy engineering. Judges look for cars that demonstrate excellent building techniques and meticulous execution, regardless of the design concept.
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Best Theme: Whether it's a fire truck, spaceship, or giant hot dog, this award goes to the car that fully commits to its concept. Judges love when every detail works together to tell a story or create a complete experience.
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Best Team Spirit: Enthusiasm shines through! This award celebrates teams that show their passion through matching outfits, creative team names, coordinated decorations, or displays that show they're having a blast together. Remember: having fun is half the victory!
*New Award Categories This Year!*
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Movie Magic: Entries inspired by film - from blockbusters to cult classics - will be eligible to compete in a special award category. This themed category is entirely optional and just one of many ways to stand out on race day. As always, racers are encouraged to get creative with their car themes!
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Captain Gary Menard Judge's Standout: Sometimes a car just captures the judges' hearts! This special award goes to the entry that may not fit neatly into other categories but has that special "something" that makes it stand out. It could be pure charm, perfect execution of a simple idea, or just the car that makes the judges smile the most.
Additional Information
The Derby does not provide any specific instructions to builders other the safety requirements listed above, but the guides below are excellent resources for builders. All of the information on these sites is the property of those sites, and the Derby Team believes that each site is an excellent and viable resource for our participants.
Easy Soap Box Derby Car Build - Autodesk Instructables
How to build a winning Red Bull Soapbox racer - Redbull
Building a Car - Official Soapbox Derby
