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The University of Utah’s Annual Soap Box Derby

Space is limited, get your team together and register now!

Team Registration will open September 1st , 2026

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What?!

  1. A non-motorized “car” race – gravity powered, human guided, and creatively executed.
  2. This year’s derby carts feature a brand-new design created by students in the College of Engineering.
  3. Register your team and receive the supplies, instructions and timeline.
  4. Prizes – because we can and because you’ll want bragging rights.
  5. Think Formula 1. Think Indy 500. The crowds, the noise, the hype. You too can be a part of university history.

New this year!

  • A timing system for those of you with a need for speed
  • New, reusable, burly carts – buy one, get multiple years use
  • Obstacles that will make you go hmmmm
BUILD
BUILD
Build your own cart with provided materials.
DESIGN
DESIGN
Tap into your creative genius - design it your way
COMPETE
COMPETE
Compete for glory, prizes, and serious bragging rights
RACE
RACE
Think Formula 1 meets Indy 500 meets campus chaos!

How it Works

  1. Register with your team of (up to) six people, at least one of which must be a student. $50 gets you a derby cart kit, supplies, swag, race day access to the hospitality area.
  2. Follow @UtahSoapBoxDerby on Instagram for inspo, instructions, tutorials and get psyched!
  3. Pick up your cart kit in September – details will be communicated via email.
  4. Attend a build night (Optional — TBA) to get pro tips, inspo and snacks!
  5. Assemble your cart with your crew – step by step instructions will be provided.
  6. Decorate, bedazzle, scheme & calculate – think speed, agility, swagger….
  7. Send in a cart inspection video that meets all safety inspection requirements by the deadline.
  8. RACE!
  9. WIN!
  10. BRAG!

Awards Include

FASTEST TEAM
FASTEST TEAM
BEST TEAM SPRIT
BEST TEAM SPRIT
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
JUDGES AWARD
JUDGES AWARD
BEST CRASH
BEST CRASH

Race Day Schedule – Friday, October 23rd

Time
Event
10am
Cart safety review & team check in - LNCO plaza
12pm
Race Start
2pm
Race Concludes
1-3pm
Hospitality & Awards in Library Plaza

Questions? Reach out! utahsoapbox@utah.edu

 

More Details

Categories (teams of up to 6)
Student Groups
Can be comprised of current U of U students

Faculty/Staff Teams
Must be a current faculty or staff member and you must have at least one student team member.
Registration Instructions
- All drivers must be a current U of U student, faculty or staff member.
- The driver of the cart must register for the entire team, sign and agree to all waivers. If, for any reason, the registered driver is unable to attend the event on October 23rd the replacement driver must contact the Office of Student Experience at utahsoapbox@utah.edu on or before October 16th.
- Every team must include at least one current student from the University of Utah.
- Faculty / Staff registrants must ensure they have their manager’s approval to participate.
- Registration will open on Tuesday, September 1st and space is limited!
- No refunds.
Register Now
Registration Includes
- 1 entry per team.
- Swag bag for your team of up to six members.
- 1 Derby kit & basic supplies (chassis, wheels, steering column, plywood).
- Access to post-race hospitality area.
What Else!?
- Space is limited, when we are out of kits, we are out.
- There are no refunds. You register. You come. End of story.

Rules & Waivers

NOT OK
OK!
Engines of any sort
Additional weight
Multiple drivers in cart
Using alterative materials
to the provided plywood
Alcoholic containers
Decorate & be-dazzle
Modifications to the provided kit wheels
Ingenuity & creativity
Profanity or lewdness

Using the 2025 derby cart

WAIVERS

Photo Waiver: Must be signed in-person by the driver.

Participation Waiver:

  • Must be a U of U student to participate in the race
  • Must be 18 at the time of signing the waiver.
  • Must have two cart reviews prior to racing on 10/23/26.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Driver must provide their own helmet

Questions:

 

Scholarships

*There are a limited number of scholarships available for this campus event. If your team is in search of a scholarship for the 2026 follow these instructions:

  1. Email utahsoapbox@utah.edu – with the subject link “Soap Box Derby 2026 Scholarship request”
  2. Describe your team – who is on your team, what is the goal of your team, do you have a team name, and what are you hoping to get out of your participation in the Derby this year?
  3. Why should we choose YOU for our scholarship?

Scholarship recipients will be notified by September 11th.

Follow and Stay Tuned for More Information

@UtahSoapBoxDerby

 Get up-to-date posts on the event and important deadlines on Instagram.

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