buildwith.Red Bull Soapbox Race
buildwith / experiences / red-bull-soapbox-race
🏎️ Europe / Americas · Multiple

Red Bull Soapbox Race

BUILD a human/gravity-powered soapbox kart.

Team entry
May 2027 (TBC)Next date
None listedNext deadline / key date
May-June (varies by city)Usual timing
Multi-city (2026: Los Angeles, Denver, London)Where
01 · How to take part

Your way in

Apply as a team with a design; selected teams build and race.

Team entry

Apply as a team with a design

Apply with your soapbox design; selected teams build a gravity-powered kart and race it. For London 2026, teams were 4 members aged 18+.

You build or use
BUILD a human/gravity-powered soapbox kart
Participation
Build-compete (application)
Entry and deadlines
London 2026: 4 members 18+, application with design; deadline 1 Mar 2026
Where
Multi-city (2026: Los Angeles, Denver, London), Multiple
02 · Dates

Dates and deadlines, Oct 2026 to Dec 2027

Usual timing: May-June (varies by city). Dates are only shown where a source publishes them; everything else is marked TBC.

  • May 2027 · date TBCRed Bull Soapbox Race 2027 (no editions announced; 2026 ran May-Jun)Watch for announcements; London 2026 applications closed 1 Mar. · sourceDate TBCTeam entry
  • Jun 2027 · date TBCRed Bull Soapbox Race 2027 (no editions announced; 2026 ran May-Jun)Watch for announcements; London 2026 applications closed 1 Mar. · sourceDate TBCTeam entry

See it on the calendar →

03 · Skills you'll need

Skills you'll need

What to learn and practise before you go. Each resource is marked Official or Community-accepted and names its publisher. Difficulty and prep time are our estimate.

Core skill

Designing and building a gravity-powered soapbox kart: chassis, steering, brakes, wheels

Also useful:

  • Building to the event's size and weight limits and passing scrutineering
  • Team showmanship: theme, costumes and a pre-race performance
Difficulty our estimateSkilled team
Prep time our estimate6–12 weeks of team design and build after selection

Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures.

Refresher

  1. Read the current event's rules first: limits differ by city (LA 2026: max 6 ft wide, 12 ft long, 7 ft tall, at least 7 in ground clearance, max 176 lb without driver; UK/Ireland: 2 m × 3.5 m × 2.5 m, 10 cm clearance, 80 kg).
  2. Gravity only: no engines, batteries or stored energy. The pit crew (max 4) pushes only to the start line.
  3. Start with a stable, low chassis (plywood or a stripped trailer or ride-on mower frame) and keep wheels well spread for balance.
  4. Brakes and steering must genuinely work: brakes acting on at least two wheels (official guide), and steering that isn't twitchy at speed.
  5. Use sturdy wheels: thin pram or bicycle wheels can wobble or collapse over jumps.
  6. Make bodywork light and sacrificial (foam, cardboard) over a strong frame; the driver must be able to get out fast. Helmets are required.
  7. Judging covers creativity, showmanship and speed, so rehearse your skit as well as your driving.

Practise before you go

  • Sketch your design to the rules and build a small cardboard model to test the theme.
  • Build and test the brake and steering mechanism on a flat lot first, then a gentle slope.
  • Rehearse a 30-second team skit.

Safety notes

  • Helmets (and a gum shield in UK rules) for the driver and co-driver.
  • Working brakes on at least two wheels; test at speed before race day.
  • Driver must be able to exit the cockpit quickly.

Resources

Officialofficial rules

The Rules – Red Bull Soapbox Race Los Angeles 2026

Official measurements, energy, crew and judging rules for a 2026 edition.

Publisher: Red Bull (event organiser)

Officialofficial build guide (article)

How to build a winning Red Bull Soapbox racer

A UK champion team captain's chassis, wheel, brake and steering tips, published by the organiser.

Publisher: Red Bull (event organiser)

Officialofficial article

Red Bull Soapbox Race Belfast – here's all you need to know

Recaps the official UK/Ireland size and weight limits, scoring and helmet rule.

Publisher: Red Bull (event organiser)

Note

Use the rules for the edition you enter; 2027 editions aren't announced.

See also the skills guide: Human-powered craft → · All skills guides

04 · Check before you go

What we could and couldn't confirm

Before you book

  • 2027 editions are NOT announced. Red Bull runs editions irregularly by city.
  • Costs are not listed on buildwith. Check them, and the latest dates, on the official site.