Fishguard Soapbox Derby

Welcome to the Fishguard & District Round Table Soap Box Derby 2025! Get ready for an adrenaline-filled day of racing homemade soapbox cars. Join us on Saturday 12 July 2025 for a day of fun, excitement, and friendly competition.

Whether you're a seasoned racer or a first-timer, this event is perfect for all ages. Bring your family and friends along to cheer you on as you zoom down the track in your creatively designed soapbox car.

Mark your calendars and start building your soapbox car now!

This page is for entering your own Soapbox and partaking in the race. Entrance to the event as a spectator is 100% free!

See below for Soapbox Design, General Regulations, Scrutineering Guidelines and Recommendations.

All soapboxes must be in position in the holding area by 11:30am on Saturday 12th July 2025. All team members must sign the Entry Form before their team may take part. This form will be handed around on race day in the holding area during scrutineering.

Soapbox Design

1. Soapbox Karts must have effective brakes and steering. They must be powered by gravity only, no pedals, engines or similar. Brakes will be tested during scrutineering and failure to be effective will lead to disqualification (See scrutineering guidelines below). Effective brakes and steering are imperative to protect driver and spectator safety.
2. Soapbox karts must be of original construction, no pre-manufactured karts. The soapbox construction process should be independent of any professional organisation which is actively involved in the construction of soapboxes.
3. Soapboxes must weigh a maximum of 100 kilos without drivers.
4. Soapboxes should only carry crew in a feet first direction.
5. All soapboxes must be safe. Any soapboxes believed to be dangerous will not be allowed to race, so please design your soapbox with the safety of others in mind. – Chief scrutiniser’s decision is final. If in doubt consult the organisers well before the scrutineering time.
6. Soapbox Karts must have a minimum of 3 wheels in contact with the ground when stationary.

The Head Scrutineer’s decision in regard to any of the above rules is final.

General Regulations

1. ALL Soapboxes and drivers will be scrutinised prior to participating and must adhere to the minimum specifications outlined within these rules. Scrutineering of the Soapbox Karts does not guarantee safety. It is intended to ensure compliance with the rules and minimise the risk to participants and spectators.
2. Sponsorship and advertising on soapboxes is acceptable.
3. Best Design will be awarded by crowd vote based on designs, novelty factors and for karts which enter into the spirit of the event.
4. Each team member must also sign disclaimers on the day of the race. All drivers must attend the driver’s briefing. It is the Team Captains responsibility to ensure compliance by all team members.
5. Participants must be over 16 years of age on 12th July 2025.
6. Competitors under 18yrs must have signed parental consent (see Entry Form).
7. Soapboxes will be crewed by a maximum of 2 people, although it is recommended for manoeuvrability to stick to 1.
8. The following protective clothing must be worn by drivers:

• Crash helmet (motorcycle style including chin protection)
• Protective Gloves
• Long sleeved tops and full length trousers

1. Soapbox karts must be in position in the holding area by 11am on the day of the derby to allow for scrutineering and judging.
2. Driver’s briefing in the scrutineering area at 12 noon, followed by a track walk through. Racing will commence at 12:30pm.
3. All Soapbox karts must be taken away by the teams by 6pm on the evening of the Derby. Failure to do so will result in a charge to cover disposal.
4. No more than 2 pushers will be allowed to push at any one time. Any team member other than the driver crossing the second marked line whilst in contact with the kart will incur a time penalty for their team.
5. Soapboxes will descend the hill one at a time and will be timed.
6. The decision of the timekeepers is final.
7. All Soapbox Karts must be promptly removed from the course at the end of the run.
8. In the event of a crash, the course (including safety barriers) will be inspected before the following competitors are allowed to proceed. If the decision is made that the safety barriers are no longer safe the derby will be called to an immediate halt.
9. Teams found to be practising on the course, on any public road, or in an unsafe public space prior to race day will be disqualified.
10. The closing date for entries is Saturday 5th July 2025. Please submit your entry as soon as possible as there are limited spaces.
11. The posted entry fee is a minimum amount. Teams are encouraged to raise additional amounts for charity. The charity supported may be of the teams choosing or that of Fishguard & District Round Table. All amounts over the amount posted will be donated to charity and must be declared to Fishguard Soapbox Derby for use in publicity and announcements.
12. All Participants take part at their own risk. A disclaimer must be signed by the driver and all team members on race day, any team with a member not declared will be immediately disqualified. The applicant will be held responsible if anyone takes part in racing without signing the disclaimer and hold responsibility for full compliance.
13. Participants must not be intoxicated. Anybody thought to be intoxicated will be disqualified. NO DRINK DRIVING!!
14. Any person found maliciously tampering with another driver’s soapbox will be disqualified and removed from all race areas.
15. Any person driving without consideration for other drivers or spectators will be disqualified.

Scrutineering Guidelines

Please note all soapboxes must be in position in the holding area for scrutineering by 11:30am on Saturday 12th July 2025. No team arriving after this time will be allowed to race.

1. Braking will be tested at scrutineering. The Soapbox will have to remain stationary with the driver in it at the start line.
2. Soapbox Karts must be smaller than 8ft x 4ft. Wheels and all aspects of the Soapbox Kart must come within this size. At the scrutineers discretion modification/removal of items may be allowed to reduce the Soapbox Kart to comply with the size requirement.
3. Steering must work with immediate effect. Excessive play in steering will not be allowed.
4. Any soapboxes believed to be of excessive weight (80+ kilos) will be weighed.
5. Soapboxes must not have sharp or protruding edges. No glass or other materials that would shatter or cause injury to drivers or spectators in the event of a crash can be used in the construction of a soapbox. There must be no sharp or protruding objects within the soapbox that could cause injury to the driver or spectator in the event of a crash.
6. Motorcycle or racing Crash Helmets must be worn and must be road legal. Mountain bike/bicycle helmets without chin protection are not acceptable. Gloves, long sleeved tops and long trousers must be worn during racing. Any driver without adequate safety wear will not be allowed to race.
7. There must not be loose objects within or on the Soapbox. All components must be fixed firmly.
8. Racing numbers (if provided) must be attached prior to the Soapbox Kart assuming the start position.
9. No pyrotechnics, smoke machines, streamers or similar will be allowed.

Recommendations

We would strongly recommend wearing race suits, motorcycle clothing, or elbow and knee pads while racing. We would also recommend boots and full face helmets. Please be aware that soapboxes can travel at speed and driver protection is important. We would also recommend that you can apply the brakes without removing your hands from the steering. Rope steering, although acceptable, will be thoroughly checked for excessive play. Be aware that the course contains sharp bends, therefore the wheels will need to be strong enough to withstand the sideward pressure. Tall karts may topple. If you are concerned about any aspect of your soapbox and scrutineering you can contact the scrutineers before the race on the Fishguard Soapbox Derby Facebook Page. On the day of the event, please contact the scrutineers for advice.

Neither total compliance with these rules and regulations, nor the successful passing of the scrutineering process for the event will in any way guarantee against injury to team members, drivers, supporters or spectators. The organisers will not accept responsibility, or be held liable for injury to any team member. If you are not happy with this rule, don’t race.

The Head Scrutineer’s decision in regard to any of the above rules is final.