Cushing Soapbox Derby

Cushing Soapbox Derby This event started in 2009,and takes place on Saturday during Cushing Fun Days (3rd weekend in August) in Cushing Wisconsin.

Car Rules
The car can be built out of any type of material. 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 steering system. If cart has four wheels, the steering wheel and front tires must turn in the same direction. The car must have functional brakes (no Fred Fli

ntstone brakes). Brakes must be capable of completely stopping vehicle within 100 feet. The car width must not exceed 5 feet and length must not exceed 8 feet. The car must include a large 2 inch diameter loop positioned to allow the car to be towed back up the hill - make it sturdy. The car must have either a name or a sponsor. 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. Once your car has successfully made it through inspection, no changes (except for weight) can be made to your car. You may make any repairs to damage from racing as long as you make it to starting line within 10 minutes of call to line. Safety Rules
Drivers must have a DOT approved, full face helmet. Pants and long sleeve shirts are not required, but are strongly recommended while competing. Any driver that cannot safely operate the vehicle (at official’s discretion) will NOT be allowed to race. All drivers 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. No more than two people are allowed in a car while racing. No contact with other cars is allowed. Car must stay in your lane. - ANY CAR GOING OUT OF BOUNDS OR CONTACTING ANOTHER CAR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE ORGANIZERS. Any car that goes beyond the designated braking area will be disqualified for that race. Lineup will be determined by drawing at time of registration. Cars will race two at a time with the first car to cross the finish line with no disqualification moves on. (Double elimination, bracket system) If you fail to make it to the starting line on time this will be counted as a loss. No pyrotechnics, fire, or fireworks are allowed as part of any car. General Rules
All participants must be 18 years of age or older. All team members must be present in order to register car. All participants must help keep the street clean - this means policing for trash.

08/16/2026

What an absolute fantastic event today!!! 8 carts for the kids race and 15 for the adult. The future looks very bright! Great things to come.

08/15/2026

Registration closes in 10 minutes.

08/15/2026

We left a spot open in the barriers by the stage. Bring you trucks and trailers in the south end of town and you can park behind the stage.

Track is set up! Now we just need you!!! Gonna be a great day!! Registration 1-4Qualifying 4:30Racing 5:00$30 cash en...
08/15/2026

Track is set up! Now we just need you!!! Gonna be a great day!!

Registration 1-4
Qualifying 4:30
Racing 5:00

$30 cash entry

08/08/2026

Only one more week. If you haven’t gotten the carts out yet IT’SSSSSSSSS TIME!!!!!!!

We have had a few people ask about running a cart in both races. The answer is yes. Also we missed it in the new rule book that the pushbar was a minimum of 36” back in the old days. Probably a good idea to set it there if you haven’t already.

Can’t wait to see all the carts.

Also we are always looking for volunteers to help with the event. We start setup at 8am on Saturday morning. We need at least 3 trucks and trailers to haul tires and 10-12 people to setup on the street. Usually knock it out in 2-3 hours.

07/18/2026
07/16/2026

2026 CUSHING SOAPBOX DERBY
Official Race Rules & Procedures
Version 1.0
Saturday, August 15, 2026 Cushing, Wisconsin

Official Rules

Purpose
The Cushing Soapbox Derby is intended to provide a safe, fun, and competitive gravity-powered racing event. Safety, sportsmanship, and respect for race officials are expected at all times. Participation constitutes acceptance of these rules. Race officials have full authority to interpret and enforce these rules. Their decisions are final.

1. Race Divisions
Youth Division: Ages 12–17. Parent/legal guardian must sign the liability waiver. Uses the official drop gate.
Adult Division: Ages 18+. Uses a push start within the designated Pushing Area.
A single cart may compete in both divisions if it meets all applicable rules.

2. Event Schedule
Registration
Vehicle Inspection
Youth Qualifying
Adult Qualifying
Youth Elimination Tournament
Adult Elimination Tournament
Awards

3. Vehicle Rules
• Minimum three wheels.
• Gravity powered only.
• Functional steering and brakes.
• Maximum width: 5 feet.
• Maximum length: 8 feet 6 inches.
• Tow loop (2-inch minimum).
• Vehicle name or sponsor required.
• Youth Division carts must have a securely mounted front bumper at least 6 inches wide with the bottom no more than 6 inches from the ground for drop gate starts.
• Ballast is permitted if securely fastened. Loose ballast is prohibited and adjustments after inspection may only be made under the supervision of race officials.

4. Safety Equipment
Drivers: DOT-approved full-face helmet and closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves and long pants strongly recommended.
Adult Pushers: DOT-approved full-face helmet, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.

5. Inspection
All carts must pass inspection. No modifications after inspection except approved ballast adjustments. Race damage repairs are allowed if completed within 10 minutes after being called.

6. Qualifying & Tournament
Each cart receives one qualifying run. Both divisions qualify before elimination racing begins. Qualifying determines seeding. Competition will be double or triple elimination depending on entries. Tied qualifying times will be broken by coin toss or random draw.

7. Lane Selection
For each head-to-head race, a race official will conduct a coin flip. The higher seed calls the toss. The winner chooses the lane. The result is final.

8. Race Rules
Maximum two occupants. Stay in your assigned lane. No contact between carts. No pyrotechnics. Drivers and passengers must remain seated with hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the cart at all times.

9. Adult Push Start
Pushers may push only within the designated Pushing Area and must release the cart before the End Line.
If any part of a pusher's foot crosses the End Line:
• Qualifying: 10 seconds added.
• Elimination: Automatic loss of that race.

10. Sportsmanship
Respect officials, volunteers, competitors, and spectators. Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in penalties or disqualification.

11. Weather Policy
Race officials may delay, suspend, postpone, or cancel racing due to unsafe weather or course conditions. Their decision is final.

12. Liability
Participation is voluntary and at each participant's own risk. All participants, parents/guardians and pushers must sign or acknowledge the required liability waiver as applicable.

Participants agree to release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless the Cushing Soapbox Derby, the event organizers, race committee, sponsors, volunteers, property owners, event officials, participating organizations, and any other persons or entities assisting with the event from any claims arising out of participation or attendance, including personal injury, death, or property damage, except where prohibited by law.

Address

Cushing, WI

Website

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