Events
Youth Division
Grand Prix Open
Big Wheel Race
Countdown To Derby Day
Event Description
The Abingdon Soap Box Derby Challenge invites a wide range of participants, including local businesses, individuals, and educational groups, to showcase their creativity, engineering skills, and community spirit by building and racing their own soap box cars. This event will blend competitive racing with family-friendly entertainment and community engagement, while fostering valuable partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
Event Highlights
The derby will feature three race categories:
• Big Wheel Race: Open to ages 3-7, free registration required.
• Youth Division: Ages 8-15
• Grand Prix: Ages 16+ with a valid driver’s license
The competition will focus on creativity, speed, and finish line celebrations. Special awards include “Most Creative Design,” “Best Finish Line Celebration,” and “Fastest Car.” The First Place Overall Team will receive a trophy and a $500 Food City gift card, with additional category recognitions.
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Event Location
Partington Place
127 W. Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24210 US
View Location on Map
Soapbox Derby Rules
Safety Requirements and Rules
The Safety Inspector has sole discretion for vehicle approval and may disqualify any unsafe vehicle at any time.
Car Design Rules
• Minimum of three wheels in contact with the track
• Powered solely by gravity (no propulsion, kinetics, or wind)
• Functional brakes (no use of feet/hands, no intentional hay
bale collisions)
• No cost limit for cars
• Must be sturdy enough for practice and race runs
• Must have reasonable steering demonstrated during
inspection
• No trailers; one continuous structure
• Max width: 7 feet, max height: 7 feet
• Max weight: 400 lbs (excluding driver)
• Dashboard must be padded (e.g., foam pool noodle)
• No unsecured objects inside the vehicle
• No unsealed batteries (lead-acid discouraged but allowed if
sealed and secured)
• No parts extending past wheels if over 42” off the ground
• No head-down driver positioning
Safety Rules
• Full-face helmet OR helmet with separate goggles, secured
by a strap
• Required safety gear: knee pads, elbow pads, gloves
• All team members must sign a liability waiver
• No alcohol consumption before or during the event (team
disqualification if suspected)
• Each team must have its own safety gear; sharing is not
permitted
Race Rules
• Teams consist of up to 4 people
• One driver per car; one practice run and one timed run
• No pyrotechnics or fire allowed
Grand Prix General Rules
• Drivers must be 16+ with a valid license or 18+
• Build team members may be of any age
• Teams must keep the area clean
• Winners judged on “Creativity & Design”, “Finish Line
Celebration Performance” and “Fastest Time”
• Disrespecting event volunteers will result in disqualification without refund
