Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Red Bull's Soapbox Race is coming to Utah on June 14.
- The event is expected to attract 20,000 spectators and showcases creative, unique soapbox designs.
- Utah leaders say the event adds to the state's growing sports portfolio.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah leaders are used to being on their soapbox at the state Capitol, but they're eager to see soapboxes rolling down Capitol Hill later this year.
Red Bull announced Wednesday that it will bring its Soapbox Race series to three U.S. cities this year, including an event at the Utah Capitol grounds in Salt Lake City on June 14. It's the first time that the event will be held in Utah since it was created 25 years ago.
The Austrian energy drink company made its grand announcement by sending two skydivers who glided onto the Capitol lawn to deliver racing helmets with an event logo on them to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and other state officials.
Event organizers estimate that June's Soapbox Race will draw about 20,000 spectators downtown.
"Utah is the state of sport, but we're also the state of extreme sport," Cox said, standing beside two soapbox derby vehicles parked next to the Capitol steps. "We can't wait to see it; we can't wait to — again — welcome the world to Utah."
Soapbox racing dates back to the 1930s when the first Soap Box Derby event was held in Ohio. As noted by the International Soap Box Derby, a reporter named Myron Scott saw kids racing down hills in homemade cars, which sparked the idea for what became the organization. It held its first event in 1934.
Red Bull, which is known for adding antics to events, took it to the next level beginning in 2000. Its highlight reel shows people going downhill in weird vehicles, taking on jumps and banked turns depending on how the course is set up.
Company officials opened up applications this week for people to race down a zany course that will take drivers down Main Street north of Temple Square. It will also feature a jump near the McCune Mansion.
Competitors are asked to upload a design for a creative soapbox vehicle concept.
"What we're looking for is the outrageous, the preposterous and the ostentatious," the company wrote on its website. "A soapbox should be an extension of its team. It's wild. It's crazy. It can be anything they want. It just can't be ordinary."
While it must be unique, there are some other ground rules. Vehicles must not exceed 12 feet in length or 6 feet in width or 176 pounds in weight. They must also be at least 7 inches from the ground and no taller than 7 feet in height.
Winning designs are given a participation kit and tools to build their funky design to race down the hill. Racers have until March 30 to apply online before up to 40 teams will be selected. The top three winners will be awarded "exclusive Red Bull experiences," said Mike Brewer, a member of the Red Bull Air Force.
State leaders believe the event adds to Utah's growing sports portfolio, including the Winter Olympics, two "big four" sports franchises and other events put on by Red Bull. The Red Bull Rampage is perhaps the best-known of those, as it's billed as a "premier big-mountain free ride event" held on the red rocks in Washington County every year.
Its events not only draw people to Utah, but Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz says they often showcase what Utah has to offer too.
"These events showcase Utah's breathtaking beauty and, more importantly, our amazing people," he said. "We're so excited about that."
Red Bull is also holding similar events in Des Moines, Iowa, and Los Angeles this year.
