Soapbox Racing·Motor Sports

Red Bull

🏛️Official — Red Bull

Red Bull Soapbox Race Rules· 2026 Red Bull Soapbox Race Rules — non-motorized gravity-powered downhill race in custom-themed vehicles; scored on best time + creativity + showmanshipOpen source

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1–2 players

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Outdoor

Environment

soapbox, creative decorations

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Section 1: Introduction

The Red Bull Soapbox Race is an amateur-friendly downhill racing event in which teams compete in custom-built, non-motorized gravity-powered vehicles — descendants of the traditional American "soapbox derby" but elevated by creativity, theme, and theatrical jumps. Each team's run is scored not just on race time but also on the creativity of vehicle design and the showmanship of pre-race performance. Soapbox Races are typically held once per host city every 5-10 years (London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Brisbane, etc.), drawing thousands of spectators. The format is intentionally casual and accessible: amateur teams build their own vehicles, often with elaborate themed designs (giant ducks, pirate ships, banana cars, etc.).

Section 2: Equipment

Soapbox vehicle: custom-built, non-motorized; weight limit 100 kg (220 lb); maximum dimensions 1.8 m × 1.8 m × 3 m (height × width × length); maximum 4 wheels
Steering mechanism required (mechanical, hand or foot operated)
Functional brakes required (hand-lever or foot-pedal)
Vehicle frame must contain driver safely (open- or closed-cabin permitted)
Driver gear: mandatory full-face motorcycle helmet, eye protection (built-in or separate), gloves, elbow + knee pads, closed-toe shoes
Vehicle costume/theme: highly encouraged, judged separately
Tools + parts for pre-race vehicle inspection + repair

Section 3: Playing Area

Downhill course: typically 400-600 m public street or park slope; substantial gradient (8-15%) for adequate gravity acceleration
Course features: jumps (one or more ramps for theatrical air-time), obstacles (hay bales, tire walls, sometimes water hazards), tight turns + chicanes
Padded crash barriers along course edges
Start gate at top of hill; finish line + braking-runoff zone at bottom
Race-day venue must obtain municipal road-closure permits

Section 4: Players & Officials

Team size: typically 5 people (1 driver + 4 supporters/builders/performers)
Driver: must be 18+, valid driving license preferred; medical clearance pre-event
Officials: race director, technical inspectors, judges panel (creativity + showmanship scoring), timing officials, course marshals, on-course medical personnel
Spectators: hundreds of thousands at major-city events

Section 5: Rules of Play

Race Structure

Each team gets 1 official race run (some events allow 2 runs with best time counted)
Pre-race "show" performance at the start line — 30-60 seconds of theatrical content judged separately
Race start: gravity-only descent — pushing permitted at the start, no propulsion during descent
Course-clearing: jumps + obstacles must be navigated; jump-attempts encouraged but optional

Permitted Propulsion

Gravity only — vehicles must coast downhill
Initial push at start permitted (typically 3-second team push from start gate)
No engines, motors, pedaling, paddles, or stored energy (batteries, springs, etc.)

Vehicle Construction Rules

Maximum weight 100 kg + driver
Maximum 4 wheels
No vehicles capable of independent propulsion
Vehicle must pass pre-race safety inspection (brakes, steering, structural integrity)

Section 6: Scoring

Race time: 50% of total score (fastest = highest race-points)
Creativity: 25% of total score (vehicle design, theme execution)
Showmanship: 25% of total score (pre-race performance, on-course theatrics)
Judging panel: combination of celebrities, motor-sports figures, design professionals
Champion: highest combined score across the three categories

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Failed safety inspection: vehicle rejected; team eliminated from race competition (may still participate in showmanship-only)
Stored propulsion / illegal propulsion mechanism: disqualification
Vehicle weight over 100 kg: DQ
Vehicle dimensions over limits: DQ
Crash before finish (vehicle inoperable): race time disqualified; creativity + showmanship scores retained
Unsportsmanlike conduct / dangerous riding: warning → disqualification → ban from future Red Bull events

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Red Bull Soapbox Race is amateur but presents real injury risk — vehicles reach 40-60 km/h downhill with jumps. Mandatory equipment: full-face motorcycle helmet, eye protection, gloves, elbow + knee pads, closed-toe shoes. Pre-event vehicle safety inspection covers structural integrity, brakes, steering, driver harness/restraint. Course safety: padded crash barriers, hay-bale buffers around obstacles, on-course medical at every jump + tight turn, ambulance + EMT + AED at finish, on-call hospital partnership for major events. Weather-stop authority: rain may halt event for safety. Driver pre-race medical screening + waiver acknowledging amateur-event risk profile. Spectators kept behind crash barriers at all critical course points.

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