Abingdon Soap Box Derby 2026

September 5, 2026
10 AM – 2 PM
Main Street, from Partington Place to Pecan Street

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.

Event Highlights

The derby will feature three race categories:
• Big Wheel Race: Open to ages 3-7 Available in the Fan Zone
• 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.

Entry Fees (Includes teams of 4)

• Big Wheel Race: Free
• Youth Division (8-15): Free (registration required)
• Grand Prix (16+ with valid driver’s license): Free (registration required)

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