How you can watch the first Red Bull Soapbox Race with adults racing in homemade cars
The Red Bull Soapbox Race is coming to Des Moines on Saturday — and spectators won't want to miss this one-of-a-kind event.
The extreme soapbox derby for adults will feature 50 teams competing to win a variety of awards. Here's what you need to know about the first-ever Des Moines Red Bull Soapbox Derby.
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What is the Red Bull Soapbox Derby?
A soapbox, also called a gravity racer, is a homemade motorless vehicle propelled by gravity designed to race downhill. Soapbox races were traditionally children's activities — until the first Red Bull Soapbox Race in 2000.
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, 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.
Since 2000, more than 100 Red Bull Soapbox Races have been held in countries from every continent except Antarctica. Of those, 17 races have been held in U.S. cities — and Des Moines will join the list as it hosts the first Red Bull Soapbox Race since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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What are teams competing for?
Participating soapbox teams will be judged on "their creativity and cart design, showmanship of their 30-second skit and race time," according to the Red Bull website. The top three teams will receive trophies and prizes.
There will also be special awards, including a people's choice category and fastest speed.
Casey's, the Ankeny-based convenience store chain, has partnered with the Red Bull Soapbox Derby this year to offer a new special award: Casey's Hometown Racer. The award is for vehicle designs that reflect the team's hometown and what they love about Casey's. One winning team and one runner-up team will receive free pizza for a year in their Casey’s Rewards account.
When is the Red Bull Soapbox Race 2022? Where can I watch?
The race will be held June 18 at the Iowa Capitol Grounds on East Walnut Street. Team pits open at 10 a.m., giving spectators the opportunity to meet the participants and check out their carts before voting for the people’s choice award.
The main entry points for the event will be near the Capitol at East Grand Avenue and Finkbine Drive, and East Walnut Street and East Sixth Street. Entry is free, and spectators are encouraged to watch from the grassy area around the Capitol.
The opening ceremony will take place around 11:55 a.m., with the race beginning around noon. There will be an awards ceremony for the winners at approximately 4 p.m.
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Parking and shuttles near the Red Bull Soapbox race
Public parking is available in select parking lots near the State Capitol. However, these spots are first-come-first-serve and traffic may be congested in the area, according to the Red Bull website.
Street parking is available in downtown through the new ParkDSM app. To find parking downtown, visit the DSM.city/parking.
A free shuttle will be running to the event from downtown Des Moines at the corner of Water Street and East Court Avenue and will run continuous loops to East Grand Avenue and Finkbine Drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for spectators parking downtown.
DART’s D Line, a free-to-ride bus route from downtown to the State Capitol area, will also be running throughout the day. More information on bus stops and times can be found on the DART website.
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For those looking to enjoy the summer weather by biking to the event, a free bike valet will be located by the finish area of the race near East Seventh Street and East Walnut Street.
What do I need to bring?
While coolers will not be allowed at the event, vendors will offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverage options for race-goers to enjoy.
Spectators can bring blankets, baby strollers, collapsible chairs, binoculars and sealed water bottles. For a complete list of what is and isn't allowed at the event, visit the Red Bull website.
Grace Altenhofen is a news reporter for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at galtenhofen@registermedia.com or on Twitter @gracealtenhofen.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Red Bull Soapbox Race 2022 draws extreme sports fans to Des Moines
