Red Bull Soapbox Race coming to downtown Des Moines this summer

The Red Bull Soapbox Race — an extreme soapbox derby for adults — will make its Iowa debut this summer.

Red Bull promotes several extreme sports to publicize its energy drink line and give consumers "wings." Its soapbox race is similar to the traditional kids version in that carts coast downhill, but the Red Bull Soapbox Race challenges "the most fearless, fun-loving and foolhardy teams to prototype and create the wackiest of rides" using homemade carts, according to its website.

"This thing's held all over the world, and now it's coming to the best place in the world, right here in Des Moines," Greg Edwards, president and CEO of Catch Des Moines, said at a Monday news conference.

Sponsors include West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee and Ankeny-based Casey's. Casey's plans to set up a committee that will look for the best "hometown racers" celebrating where racers are from and what they love about Casey's. Winning hometown racers will receive free Casey's pizza for a year.

The Des Moines event will take place June 18, with the course running along East Walnut Street just south of the Iowa Capitol Building, from East 12th to East 7th streets. Axios first reported the news of the event, which will be free and open to the public for spectating. Up to 50 5-person teams will compete.

At least 25,000 people are expected to attend the event, Axios reported.

Those interested in entering a cart for the Iowa race can apply now.

Philip Joens covers breaking news for The Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-443-3347 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Red Bull Soapbox Race coming to Des Moines, Iowa, in summer 2022