GET INVOLVED

Enter a Kart

Before you enter

This is the information and application pack for the 2025 Farndon Soapbox Derby, to be held on Sunday 14th September 2025. Please read the rules in their entirety then complete the application form at the bottom of this page

The primary objective of this event, alongside having some fun, is to raise money for local charities. As such we ask every kart team to set up a Just Giving Page (which we will help with) and encourage each team to try their best to raise at least £500. This is not a ‘golden rule’ but strongly encouraged, reflecting the significant amount of work by volunteers and our ambitious fundraising achievements.

How the Event Will Be Run in 2025

The Farndon Soapbox Derby will take place on Sunday 14th September 2025 from 07.30 am until about 5.30 pm.
KART ENTRY IS OPEN TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE

It is a time trial charity event for gravity powered homemade karts, competing along a 325m tarmac road incorporating a ramp, a gradual decline with curves, jumps, a chicane and sections of steeper declines.

Karts will start from the bed of a 40ft trailer down a shallow ramp onto the road course itself.

No more than two kart pushers will be permitted on the trailer start bed.

Pushers’ contact with the kart MUST finish at the top of the ramp. The pushers will then run and follow the kart down the course to assist in the event of stoppage, and to push the kart back to the paddock at the end of each heat (by a different route through the village).

There will be NO PRACTICE RUN! Each kart will make three timed ‘race’ runs of the course and the final positions will be determined by the total time recorded for all 3 runs added together. A 10 second penalty per intervention will be incurred should the kart driver require assistance from their pushers.

There are 3 main categories: Family & Friends, Small Businesses and Large Businesses (over 25 employees). All drivers and passengers in a kart need to be over 12 years of age, (the construction and wider race team can be of any combination of ages).

Each kart team is targeted with raising £500 for our charities. This is a target not a ‘golden rule’. However, it is a condition of entry that every team sets up and promotes a JustGiving page. You will not be recognised as a competitor until this is done. Our main charity, The Hospice of the Good Shepherd, have an In-House event team who will assist you to set up your own team page on the main SOAPBOX JustGiving event site. They can also suggest ways of fund-raising for your kart and there will be a special prize for the kart team that raises the most sponsorship money.

Be wacky – but family friendly! We encourage imaginative, bright designs for your karts. Sponsorship and logos are encouraged to help with your fundraising target. There will be a competition for the most creative and fun kart which will be judged on the day, voted for by the competitors themselves!

Whilst there is no cost for spectators to come along and watch, we will be encouraging donations for parking, and there will be street collections & other money raising initiatives on the day.

In addition to the races there will be a programme of family entertainment, offered between the villages of Farndon and Holt at various venues – see our social media and website closer to the event

  1. A Team Captain is to be appointed (who must be at least 18 years of age) to sign the Registration Form (in advance) and all participants must sign a Participation & Waiver Form (on the day).
  2. The Team Captain will be responsible for the entire teams’ compliance with all the rules and regulations.
  3. There is no limit to the total number of people in an entrant’s construction and support team.
  4. The “Race Team” for each heat will consist of one driver and maximum one passenger (optional), with two kart pushers for each run. Other non-pushers can run down the track, but must not touch the kart- or a time penalty of 10 seconds per intervention will be incurred
  5. Drivers, passengers and pushers can be swapped around between heats, provided that every participant going ‘track-side’ has (1) taken out insurance, (2) is registered with the organisers in advance and (3) has signed the waiver form on the day.
  6. Any “Race Team” member under the age of 18 on the day must have written and signed consent of their parent or guardian on the appropriate section of the Participation Form.
  7. No improvements may be made to the kart after scrutineering, (apart from any necessary repairs).
  8. Karts may not be entered by multiple Teams – each team must have their own kart.
  9. If your kart has previously competed in our event, we kindly ask that you rebrand it with a different theme.
  10. Teams are responsible for the ongoing risk assessments of their kart during the event and are obliged to report any damage or potential risk to the scrutineers.
  11. Each team will complete a Risk Acknowledgement Waiver Form before competing.
  12. Insurance: The event is being run by volunteers on behalf of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd who carry a £10m Public Liability Insurance policy. However this does NOT cover individuals to compete on the day. You will be required to take out your own policy. This is a modest cost (c £10 per person), and the organising team will direct you to an approved supplier closer to the time. Every “Race team” member needs to be insured to go trackside, be they a pusher, driver, passenger or simply running down the track.
  13. Each Kart will be fitted with a transponder on the day. These are unique and will be supplied to the Kart or driver by the timing company. It is your responsibility to ensure it is on the driver or kart for each race and to return it to the timing company at the end of the event (at the finish line of the final heat). There will be a £50 charge for any team not returning their transponder!
  14. The organisers have the right to refuse entry or withdraw any team if, in the organiser’s opinion, the kart or Race Team poses a threat of injury to either themselves or others either before or during the event.
  15. At no time during racing shall participants be under the influence of, or be affected by, alcohol, recreational pharmaceuticals or other substances or drugs that may impair their ability to participate.
  16. The rules are mandatory. Any competitor refusing or failing to comply with them will not be allowed to compete, as they have been designed for everyone’s safety.
  17. Farndon Soapbox Derby reserve the right to amend the rules and to go above and beyond their guidance, if necessary, to ensure the safety of all involved.
  1. Gravity propulsion only – i.e., no motors, no pedals, no stored potential energy (e.g. batteries) or sails.
  2. Maximum external length 3 metres and maximum external width 1.5 metres.
  3. No protrusions of any kind will be allowed outside these dimensions.
  4. Wheels must be of an inflatable tyre type and unrestricted diameter but must be within the maximum. dimensions.
  5. Working brakes that affect 2 wheels on the same axle must be fitted and tested. They should be constructed from robust materials, sufficient to be effective repeatedly during all three heats. You MUST be able to stop your vehicle on the course – failure to do so will result in your dismissal from the event
  6. Karts must have effective steering to navigate the route. NB kart-steering by feet or rope steering is not acceptable.
  7. Materials which might shatter on impact, are NOT permitted.
  8. Karts can carry no more than two people, seated, feet facing forward.
  9. No exposed sharp corners or edges will be allowed.
  10. All items must be securely attached to the kart (anything that is likely to fall off will be removed).
  11. Covers may be attached to the chassis but must be considered safe and secure on inspection.
  12. A padded steering wheel or handlebar is recommended.
  13. Karts may have between 3 and 6 wheels, with or without suspension.
  14. No additional ballast is allowed in the kart.
  15. The bodywork and the chassis should be constructed using recycled materials where possible, but we strongly recommend a metal-based chassis – (build it well, so it lasts all three heats on the day!).
  16. All karts must be safe (any believed to be dangerous to the public or the participants will not be allowed to take part in the race).
  17. All karts must display their allocated race number.
  18. No live fire or inflammable flares allowed on the karts. All ‘accessories’ must be securely fixed to the karts
  19. Occupants of the kart must wear a hard-shell full-face helmet with a secured chinstrap.
    NB this is an upgraded rule from previous years, cycle helmets will not be accepted).
  20. Legs and arms must be covered.
  21. The wearing of gloves is mandatory. Elbow pads and knee pads are advisory.
  22. Occupants of karts to remain seated and facing forward at all times.
  23. Race Team must abide by reasonable instructions given by the event officials or marshals in the interest of safety and the smooth running of the event (this includes braking after the finish line).
  1. You decide the composition of each Heat Race Team (typically 3-4 people: 1 Driver and 2 kart pushers, with the option of a passenger). Additional team members can run after the kart but must be pre-registered to go track side (insurance, waiver signed), and wearing the wrist-strap issued at registration on the day.
  2. The drivers/passengers can change for each run.
  3. The “push zone” is the trailer bed only, kart pushers are permitted to accelerate the kart only as far as the top of the ramp, they must release the kart. Any infringement will incur a 10 second penalty.
  4. Kart pushers then follow the kart, should a push or other assistance be required along the route – each individual intervention will incur a 10 second time penalty.
  5. A signal is given to mark the start of the timed run. The kart’s time is measured by the transponder when it crosses the start and finish lines. After crossing the finish line driver must apply their brakes, slow down and enter the Stop Zone, before returning their kart back up to the paddock area at Farndon Primary School, Churton Road (along a separate and pre-determined route).
  6. Only 1 kart will be allowed on the track at any one time.
  7. Nearer the time we will ask you to provide a piece of music to be played as your kart races, together with a ‘Bio’ for your team so that our race commentator can make you famous!
  8. The race timings and decisions on prizes are final (no exceptions).

07.30
STEP 1. ARRIVAL.
Entering the village from Chester direction ONLY: Arrive with your kart at the car park in front of Farndon Primary School (one car and trailer per team). You will then be directed to the “Paddock” on the playground at the rear of the school where you will be based for the day. Please drive slowly (<5mph) and carefully round the school.
 Please be on site no later than 8.30 am to allow for……


08.30
STEP 2. REGISTRATION.
All “race team” members (i.e. those going trackside, either driving, or as a passenger, a pusher, or a runner) are to register at the registration desk, with each individual completing and signing a Participation & Waiver Form. All “race team” members will be cross-checked to ensure that they have provided insurance documents in advance. The “race team” members will then be issued with a wristband. Participants can only go trackside with a wristband! You will also be provided with your timing transponder (for which you will be asked for a £10 cash deposit, refundable at the end of the day).
Note: If you have collected any donations in cash, you can hand them in at the registration desk.


09.00
STEP 3. SCRUTINEERING.
Your kart will be checked over by scrutineers (professional race marshalls) for compliance with all the specified Rules, Regulations and Technical Specification above.
YOU MUST PASS SCRUTINEERING IN ORDER TO COMPETE.
PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE AT THE VENUE BEFORE 7.30am – we won’t be ready for you! 
You must be registered, in attendance and have passed scrutineering by 10.00am


10.00 – Team Briefings and walk the course (note: all race team members to attend)
11.00 – Heat 1
13.00 – Heat 2 
15.00 – Heat 3 
17.00 (ish) – Prize giving ceremony will take place at the ‘paddock’ on the playground of Farndon School.  
17.30 – Event Closes 

 

ENTRY FORM AND GDPR COMPLIANCE

Please nominate a ‘Team Captain’ who will act on behalf of your team (by signing this form, the Team Captain ensures that ALL team members have read, understand, and adhere to the Rules and Regulations set out by FSD).

Entry is ‘First come first served’. Once your application form has been received, the Hospice of the Good Shepherd will invoice you for the Entry Fee (£250 for corporates (>25 employees), £100 for Senior category, £50 for Junior category).

Note: all registration fees contribute to our fundraising.

Your place is not secured until (a) your registration form has been completed/submitted, (b) your registration fee is paid, and (c) you have set up a JustGiving page on the event site (please do this with the assistance of the HOGS event team).

Entry numbers are strictly limited, please apply early to secure your place.

Once all spaces are taken, a reserve list will be collated in the event of any team withdrawing.

KART ENTRY FORM

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