Vintage Weekend Feature Event

PlumberDan Soap Box Derby 2026

Fuel your gravity racer, round up your pit crew, and be part of Vintage Weekend’s loudest spectacle. The PlumberDan Soap Box Derby is back with tighter turns, new categories, and bigger prizes.

Countdown to Launch

Monday 19 January 2026 · Racing from 9:00 AM

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Drews Ave Hill

Teams Registered

60+

2026 aim for 80+

Spectators

Entertainment along Drews Ave

Course Drop

38m

Twisty downhill with braking zone

Prize Pool

$5K

Spot prizes, medals & certificates

Monday 19 January 2026 · Nippers • Zoomers • Sprinters • Mini Stocks • Open • Business Challenge · Free for spectators · Coffee · Food · Entertainment Monday 19 January 2026 · Nippers • Zoomers • Sprinters • Mini Stocks • Open • Business Challenge · Free for spectators · Coffee · Food · Entertainment Monday 19 January 2026 · Nippers • Zoomers • Sprinters • Mini Stocks • Open • Business Challenge · Free for spectators · Coffee · Food · Entertainment Monday 19 January 2026 · Nippers • Zoomers • Sprinters • Mini Stocks • Open • Business Challenge · Free for spectators · Coffee · Food · Entertainment

Lock in your grid slot

Pay and register on Stripe. Enter your rider details in the Stripe “Rider details” field and tick the rules checkbox there.

Pay & Register

$25 entry · free T-shirt before 24 Dec · $50 late after 16 Jan

Buy a T-shirt ($20)

T-shirt collection: at the event

Race Day Essentials

Lock in your slot

Entry is $25. Entries received before 24 Dec include a free event T-shirt; entries received 24 Dec–16 Jan are $25 (no free T-shirt). Late entry is $50 after 16 Jan. T-shirts are collected at the event.
Plan your crew

Each racer needs a support adult in the pits.
Race-day check-in

Arrive by 7:45 AM for scrutineering. Late arrivals may forfeit their first heat.

Workplace crews and sponsors racing for bragging rights. Bring a team build, a loud pit crew, and a sharp livery.

$25 Pre-reg

$25 pre-reg $50 race day

Race day timeline

From dawn pits to podium

Plan your day so you never miss a heat. Scrutineering is strict, so be ready when your number is called.

Safety & scrutineering

7:30 AM

Pit Area Opens

Pukenamu Queens Park pit area access for teams.
7:45 AM

Registration & Scrutineering

Check in, kart inspection & driver weigh-in.
8:00 AM

Staff & Volunteer Briefing

Admin tent briefing for all crew.
8:45 AM

Competitor Briefing

Mandatory driver safety briefing and final run order.
9:00 AM

Race Start

Heats begin from the top of Drews Ave Hill.
12:00 PM

Lunch Intermission

Food trucks, coffee carts, JJ Roofing Running of the Balls.
1:00 PM

Heats Resume

Semi-finals and repechage runs.
1:45 PM

King of the Hill Finals

Fastest combined times battle for the crown.
3:00 PM

Prizegiving

Spot prizes, medals, certificates, and sponsor spotlights.

What you could win

Spot prizes + medals

Spot prizes all day, medals for top finishers, and certificates for participants and winners.

See past champions

🎁

Spot prizes

Random draws and race-day surprises across divisions.

🥇

Medals

Podium medals for top finishers in each class.

📜

Certificates

Official certificates for participants and winners.

Partner with the derby

Gold & Silver spots available

Sponsor packages amplify your brand across Vintage Weekend. Lock in now to secure track signage, shout-outs, and VIP pit access.

Request sponsor pack

Gold Sponsors

5 spots

Prime logo placement on start gantry & finish arch
MC shout-outs every hour
Co-branded social reels & newsletter features
VIP pit lane walk-through

Available Spot 1 Available

Available Spot 2 Available

Available Spot 3 Available

Available Spot 4 Available

Available Spot 5 Available

Silver Sponsors

5 spots

Branding on course banners & digital scoreboard
Instagram story mentions during race day
Two VIP hospitality passes
Spacer

Available Spot 1 Available

Available Spot 2 Available

Available Spot 3 Available

Available Spot 4 Available

Available Spot 5 Available

Watch the action

Meet the hill

Rewatch the chaos, then plan your build. Share with your crew to show them what’s waiting.

facebook

Race recap 2024

Relive last year’s downhill duels and fan-favourite crashes.

Watch now

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Build teaser

From workshop benches to the start line — what it takes to build for Drews Ave.

Watch now

Build smarter

Tune it for Whanganui

The Drews Ave course isn’t straight. You’ll need legitimate steering, confident brakes, and a kart that can recover after the chicane.

Read the full build guide

Steering Geometry

Double-check Ackermann steering for tight Drews Ave hairpins and include a steering stop.

Brake Confidence

Hydraulic bike disks or robust scrub brakes are mandatory—finish chute requires a full stop.

Driver Fit

Harness or lap-belt recommended; drivers must demonstrate they can exit within 10 seconds.

Visibility

Add high-contrast numbers on both sides and the nose cone for marshal visibility.

Free for spectators

Hilltop festival vibes

Bring the whānau, claim a haybale and soak up Vintage Weekend. Food, music, and retro fun all day long.

Coffee & Eats

Local roasters, JJ Roofing Running of the Balls lunch break, and food trucks all day.

Entertainment

Live DJ, MC banter, and pop-up retro games to keep the hill buzzing between heats.

Best Vantage

Stake out the terraced gardens or grab a haybale near the chicane for serious thrills.

Accessibility

Accessible viewing is signposted near the top of Drews Ave with mobility parking off Taupō Quay. Volunteers are on hand to assist with seating and shade.

Throwback energy

Past events, future hype

Scroll the highlights from recent years—then add your kart to the story.

2024

Vintage Weekend roared with record crowds and rapid builds.

Zoomers maxed out the speed trap while the TTU Engineering crew claimed King of the Hill in a carbon shell.

2023

Night-before rain gave way to blue skies and slick cornering.

Whanganui Collegiate reclaimed the crash crown with the safest “big air” moment of the afternoon.

2022

A new chicane introduced and 62 entries battled gravity.

Engineering mentors from UCOL ran live workshops, boosting build quality across all divisions.

Explore all past events

Need-to-know

FAQs

Straight answers so you can focus on the build and the thrill.

How much does it cost to enter? +

Entry is $25. Entries received before 24 Dec include a free event T-shirt; entries received 24 Dec–16 Jan are $25 (no free T-shirt). Late entry is $50 after 16 Jan, subject to available slots.

Can I buy an extra event T-shirt? +

Yes — event T-shirts are $20 each. Free and purchased T-shirts are collected at the event.

What safety gear is required? +

Every driver must wear a full-face helmet, closed-in shoes, gloves and elbow pads. Scrutineering will check steering, braking and bodywork. Any exposed edges must be padded.

Can I race if I don’t have a team? +

Absolutely. Independent racers are welcome—just make sure you have at least one adult support crew member on hand for staging and recovery.

Is the event free for spectators? +

Yes! Bring the whānau. Vintage Weekend vibes include food trucks, coffee carts, DJs and commentary all day. Follow the signage from Taupo Quay for the best viewing berms.

How do I pay and submit my form? +

Use the Pay & Register button to complete payment via Stripe. Enter your rider details in the Stripe “Rider details” field and tick the rules checkbox there.

Don’t miss the grid

Entry deadlines

$25 entry. Before 24 Dec includes a free event T-shirt; 24 Dec–16 Jan is $25 (no free T-shirt). Late entry is $50 after 16 Jan.

PlumberDan Soap Box Derby 2026

Countdown to Launch

Lock in your grid slot

Race Day Essentials

Categories for every crew

Nippers

Zoomers

Sprinters

Mini Stocks

Open

Business Challenge