Hunstanton’s very own whacky races will return this September for the 2024 Hunstanton Soap Box Derby
Key information
- Venue: The Green, Hunstanton PE36 6BL
- Date: Sunday 22 September 2024
- Racing time: Approximately 11am to 5pm
- Entry fee: Senior £25, Junior £20 (ENTRIES NOW CLOSED)
About the event
Hunstanton’s very own whacky races will return this September! The event is organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk. Construct your hand-built karts and come and join in the fun, racing down Hunstanton’s hilly streets, thrilling the large crowds in attendance. Teams are encouraged from everywhere and everyone - families, businesses, organisations; all of the community.
The course is fast and exciting with challenges to overcome (ramp, chicane and tight corners). Starting by the High Street on Greevegate, it zooms down past the Green and finishes in Beach Terrace Road by the Bandstand.
You can view the course route on our course map.
The course and its start and finish is controlled on the day by King’s Lynn & District Motor Club.
For spectators there will be music and entertainment on the Green, all contributing to a great carnival atmosphere for all the family! There are plenty of outlets nearby the Green and the course to purchase food and refreshments.
Come and watch the thrills and spills of this extraordinary event!
Results
See below for the results of the 2024 Hunstanton Soap Box Derby!
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Adults (16-49) | 1st - Apex Legend 2nd - Team ‘Eggy’ Going to Sea 3rd - Nutterz |
| Under 16s | 1st - Ram Racing 2nd - King’s Lynn Police Cadets |
| Under 13s | 1st - Team Devil Juniors |
| Veterans (50+) | 1st - Nutty’s Speed Shop 2nd - Birkin’s Boys 3rd - Team Devil 2 |
| Concours d'Elegance | Hunstanton Fire Station |
| Overall winners | Apex Legend |
Highlights
View the highlights from this years event below!
Disability spectator area
Wheelchair users can spectate from a designated area at the end of St Edmunds Terrace.
Race categories
Choose which category to enter from the four below (note the change of senior ages this year):
Junior
- Under 13 (10-12 year olds)
- Under 16 (13-15 year olds)
Senior
- Adult (16-49 year olds)
- Veterans (50+)
NB. All above ages are as on race day.
Prizes
There will be prizes for teams finishing first, second and third in each category and a trophy for the overall winner. There will also be a ‘Concours d’elegance’ award for the best-looking kart.
Entry fees
- Senior £25
- Junior £20
Event day timings
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:00am to 10:30am | Team Registrations on the upper Green |
| 9:15am to 10:45am | Scrutineering in the Pits on the upper Green |
| 11:15am to 1:00pm | Racing Round 1 |
| 1:00pm to 2:00pm | Lunch and Music from Vex in the Bandstand |
| 2:00m to 4:00pm | Racing Round 2 |
| 4:00pm | Music from Vex in the Bandstand |
| 4:30pm | Event Trophy Presentations from the Bandstand |
Please note that stalls will be on display on the lower Green all day.
Teams
Teams may consist of up to 4 members in total (including driver or drivers). Karts may accommodate one or two drivers (no more). Team members not driving will push off the kart at the start.
Safety
This is an event with some dangers so drivers and team members must consider these. Drivers MUST wear a helmet and the organisers strongly recommend that this is a full face helmet. Organisers also strongly recommend drivers to wear a gum shield and that legs and arms are fully dressed (ie. no bare legs or arms).
Presentations
The day will conclude with a presentation ceremony once racing has ended and the results have been established.
Event rules
All entrants must read and agree to the event rules and kart specifications. Entrants must construct their karts in line with event specifications covering size, brake systems etc.
Event rules and specifications are available here.
Closing date
All adult entries are now full.
Five additional Junior entries (under 16 and under 13 only) are now available, making an event limit of 65 places in total.
The entry system will close on 26 July or when the new entry limit is reached, whichever soonest.
Highlights from previous years
2023 Soap Box Derby
Overall Winner: Birkins Boys (with a fastest time of 30 seconds)
Under 16s Winner and Concours d'elegance award: Team Eggy (38 seconds)
Veterans winner: Ruby (32 seconds)
2019 Soap Box Derby
Event history
The first ever Soap Box Derby in Hunstanton took place in 1953. The race was the brainchild of Frank Hartnell, onetime Chairman of the Town Council, who created the event primarily for the enjoyment of the boys of St Christopher's Home. Mr Hartnell not only organised the races but built the karts as well. He even tested his creations out for himself, once reporting 'the result - a grazed ankle and a torn pair of trousers'!
The races in those days were quite an attraction and were watched by several hundred people. Quite when the original Soap Box Derby run came to an end is unclear. It was re-introduced by the Borough Council in 2017. The history of the Soap Box Derby is told in this article in the Town and Around.
