Timeline
Below is the timeline of events for the Derby on Saturday, April 20, 2024*.  
 
2:30pm - Race Festivities begin. Non-official racing, race inspections, and more! 
4:30pm - Official Races begin
6:00pm - Final Ceremony and winners announced. Trophies will be given to 1st place for each grouping, the biggest wipe-out, and the favorite soapbox car. The top 3 finishers in each grouping potentially will be given rewards pending donations. 
 
*Sunday, April 21, 2024, is the contingency date planned in the event of rain.
 
Pre-Race Registration 
By filling out this form you are enabling our planning to make this year "a year to remember". Register yourself and/or your child for the corresponding race heat, register your vehicle, sign the necessary waiver and release forms, and/or inform us if you plan on coming out to Derby Day. 
 
 
Race Rules

  • A car may be registered in any and all race groupings (but only once in each race grouping). Race groupings include: Parent with Child, 11 and under, 12-17, and Adults (18 years and older)

  • Two registered adult crew members must be present every time a driver races (one at the start line, one at the finish line) in order to race.

  • Helmet (bike, motorcycle or football helmets OK) is required for each driver

  • Drivers must be familiar with & able to operate all car controls (practice in steering & braking is highly recommended).

  • Braking mechanism must be repeatable by the driver. No weight-based or “anchor-type” single-use braking systems are allowed. If you are not sure about your braking system, please ask before race day.

  • Gravity racing only. No pushing off. No power/drive/assist devices allowed.

  • Cars are deemed to have crossed the finish line when the front wheels completely cross the line.

  • Car and driver racing only. “Added Weight” makes racing more dangerous and is not allowed.

  • Each car will race a total of three (3) times. Official race time will be scored and recorded by Race Officials for use in determining “Fastest Run”.

  • “Fastest Run” will be awarded to the DRIVER at each rank that records the fastest single run down the track.

  • Lane Racing: Touching the centerline, on-course safety barricades, curb, or interfering with the other car in any way during the race will result in a DNF (did not finish) disqualification. 

  • Keep all drivers close to your car. Race teams not ready to race after the third start call may be required to forfeit that race at the discretion of the Race Officials.

  • Decisions of the Race Marshall are final.

  • A completed and signed Release Form and Permission Slip / Medical Release Form must be filed (in advance or at registration) for EACH driver.

 

Build a Car!

To race in the official heats you will need to have a car assigned and there are a few options to make this happen. 

1. Borrow a car from a neighbor who might be competing in a separate grouping and has registered. This option will involve coordination either before or on the day of the race.  
2. Build a new car and register a car later. Prior to the start of the Springlake Derby, there will be a build event hosted at Bill Halter’s (708 Wilson rd) on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Additionally, there is a community of builders available to help at your convenience hosted by your neighbors in Springlake. Including,and not limited to, Peter Bahouth, Jim Carter, and Joey White who have all offered to be available upon request! Do not help? Feel free to build a car on your own. 
3. Race prior to the official heats. There will be non-competitive racing that will occur before and after the official race groupings. 
Volunteering
If you would like to get involved in this year's Springlake Soapbox Derby please learn more by clicking below. We will need you to register for the SCA Membership tool kit before volunteering. Thank you!
 
  
Donations
This year to incentivize the competition and to help fundraising efforts for Friends of Springlake Park, we will be taking donations that contribute to the official race prize pool and contribute directly to improving Springlake parks! Each donation will be split between Friends of Springlake Park and the Derby Day prize pool. There is 50/50 split, meaning a $100 donation to Friends of Springlake Park would have $50 go to our parks and the other $50 go to race prizes.
 
 
Q&A
TBD

Want Race day details (Tmeline, Race registration, race rules)? Go here
 
Want to Donate to the prize pool? Go here
 
Want to Sponsor? Go here
 
Want to Volunteer? Go here! FYI you will need to make an account