PORTLAND ADULT SOAPBOX DERBY


Rules? What rules?

Car Rules

  • The car must have a minimum of three wheels in contact with the track.
  • The car must be powered solely by gravity (no kinetics, no wind - no propulsion).
  • The car must have functional brakes (no Fred Flintstone brakes).
  • You cannot spend more than $300 on your car.
  • The car cannot be wider than 66.6 inches.
  • The car must include a large eye bolt positioned to allow the car to be towed back up the hill - make it sturdy.
  • Lugge boards, skateboards, or similar vehicles do not qualify as a car.
  • YOUR CAR WILL BE INSPECTED AND HELD TO A “WORKMANLIKE” STANDARD. UNSAFE CARS OR CARS IN VIOLATION OF THESE RULES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RACE.

Safety Rules

  • Each person in the car must have a helmet that is secured to his or her head by a strap or other reasonable means - full face helmets are recommended.
  • All drivers, racers and team members must sign a liability waiver.
  • IF YOU DON’T HAVE A HELMET OR YOU FAIL TO SIGN THE WAIVER YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RACE.

Race Rules

  • All Drivers must be in their car at the starting line.
  • All cars get a ten yard push start. Each team must provide their own designated pusher. Pushers who step over the ten yard foul line will disqualify their car for that run.
  • No more than three people are allowed in a car while racing. The designated pusher may not be a racer, driver, or otherwise jump onto the car.
  • No contact with other cars is allowed in the ten yard push zone, or within line of sight of the finish line - ANY CAR MAKING CONTACT IN THESE ZONES WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE ORGANIZERS.
  • Score will be kept by averaging race times. If you fail to make a race or are disqualified from a race your time will be entered as three minutes (3:00).
  • No pyrotechnics, fire, or fireworks are allowed in the park or as part of any car.
  • Liquid water is the only acceptable weapon or projectile which may be deployed from or against any car (water balloons are acceptable).

General Rules

  • All participants must be 21 years of age or older.
  • All participants must help keep the park clean - this means policing for trash.
  • To sign up you must pay your racer entry fee. This year’s fee is $85 per car.
  • EACH RACE TEAM IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ONE (1) VOLUNTEER FOR RACE DAY.