Chapel Hill’s second Soapbox Derby had 24 entries, twice as many as 2025 at the Community Center, for the homemade gravity-powered motorless cars that raced down a sloped track at Homestead Park. Built for speed and creativity, the small vehicles are typically built by kids with adult help. Cars have no power or pedals.
PHOTO: TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL
Racers reached speeds of approximately 18 mph. They had two runs on the course for drivers to improve their times.
Brain Leatherland’s horse and buggy was awarded the most creative car.
“Old dependable” was the fastest car with a time of 18.03.
“Sweet dreams” was the second fastest, 26.56.
“Turf Tank,” the Town’s Parks Maintenance team car, was the top town department entry at 20.01.
In the future, the town plans to continue to use the soap box derby as a signature event that smaller programs can build toward. For example, they introduced the Pinewood Derby, which attracted 10 participants. Leading up to the event, they offered a car-building program and plan to introduce new workshops in the run up to the derby in the future.
The Blue Dragon won the Pinewood Bash and Dash with 28 points, plus the most creative award.