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Dunstable’s Soapbox Derby

Saturday 9 August

Dunstable Town Council are thrilled to announce our first ever Soapbox Derby race in Priory Gardens.

As well as the exciting racing, there will also be a giant screen broadcasting the race, plus films shown on the day. Spectators can also enjoy live entertainment, stalls, and onsite bar and catering facilities.

The Soapbox Derby will see competitors race down our 100m track, leaving from a bespoke ramp to really get you flying. It is completely free to enter, we are looking for businesses, schools, community groups, charities plus friends and families to come together to build your own custom kart. You can even try and get sponsors to raise funds for your kart build.

There are two categories

Juniors 8-17 yrs

Seniors 18+ yrs.

On the day the winners will be overall fastest time in each categories and best presented. We want to see speed but also creativity and fun within the teams and karts. So go wild with your designs.

All the information on the rules and regulations plus details on the requirement for your homemade kart can be found in our registration pack below.

Deadline for entries is Monday 2 June.

Why enter?

Entering a soapbox derby can be a fun and rewarding experience for several reasons:

Building a soapbox kart requires problem-solving, engineering, and creativity. You get to design and build your own kart from scratch, choosing the materials, shape, and even adding unique features. If you enter as a team, it’s a great way to work collaboratively with colleagues, friends or family.

Successfully completing and racing your soapbox kart can give you a sense of achievement. Whether you win or not, the effort and process of creating something functional and fun is so rewarding. It’s a great opportunity to learn lifelong skills, such as woodworking, engineering, or basic physics (understanding how your kart will perform based on weight, aerodynamics, etc.)

We are hoping our Soapbox Derby event will involve as many local communities as possible, bringing people together to support each other. It’s a chance to meet new people, make new friends, and have fun with your community.

The thrill of racing down a hill and competing for the best time is super exciting and fun.

We hope you will see the benefit and the fun and take part in the first ever Dunstable Town Council Soapbox Derby 2025.

If you have any questions or queries please email events@dunstable.gov.uk

Are you looking to grow your business or get more involved in the community? 

Events Sponsorship could be the way to go! 

Dunstable Town Council are seeking events sponsorship for our brand NEW Soapbox Derby. There are various exciting options available to suit your business needs and budgets whether big or small! 

Can’t afford to sponsor a F1 car, but now is your chance to sponsor this exciting new event.  

For more information or if you want to discuss sponsorship opportunities and package prices with us please contact Gina Thanky on 01582 891407 or email gina.thanky@dunstable.gov.uk.