The Kansas City Soap Box Derby has been holding races since 1947. Soap Box Derby is a racing program for boys and girls ages 7-20. With the help of a parent or another adult, kids build their own gravity-powered race car which they drive themselves. Soap Box Derby builds close parent/child relationships and teaches building skills, perseverance and good sportsmanship.

TRACK LOCATION

The Kansas City Soap Box Derby Track is located at 4600 Eastern Ave., Kansas City, MO, just southwest of the Sports Complex. See map. It is one of the fastest tracks in the country. Cars generally reach speeds of up to 30 mph at the finish line.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A SOAP BOX DERBY RACE?

On race day, competitors will only race against cars in their own division. The drivers will draw numbers to determine who their first opponent will be. A race (heat) against an opponent consists of two runs (phases) down the hill. In the first phase, a timer at the finish line will measure the time difference in thousandths of a second as the two cars cross the finish line. Then the cars and drivers will be brought back to the top of the hill where they will switch lanes and wheels with their opponent and race again. The times will be totaled to determine the winner of the heat. The races are double elimination events, so drivers must lose two heats to be out of the race.

RACE DAY INFORMATION

• Registration is $30 per day/$20 per day per sibling.
• Be at the track by 7:30 and come to the registration table immediately.
• Bring a copy of driver's birth certificate if KC Soap Box Derby does not already one on file.
• Four or two wheel first phase swap. Bring your own Z-glass wheels
• Come ready to race, including brake pads, alignment, practice runs, etc.
• Concession stand available for breakfast and lunch.
• If you're coming to watch the race, we aim to start at 9am and most races finish by 4pm.