Sixth Annual Montague Soapbox Races

To be held at Unity Park in Turners Falls, MA, Sunday, September 18, 2022

The Sixth Annual Montague Soapbox Races are coming, and will again be held in Turners Falls on the Unity Park hill. All past racers are invited to register for the 2022 competition.

Race day is Sunday, September 18th, 2022, at noon. You can fill out the online form here. Registration is open now. Deadline is Wednesday, September 14.

This year there will be no same-day cart registration. You must register in advance.

In addition to earning $2500 for the Montague Parks & Recreation Department last year, thanks in part to primary sponsor Greenfield Savings Bank, we had 41 racers go down the hill, with some breaking speed records (37 MPH recorded for the first time) and some spectacular (soft) crashes, as well as amazing cart designs. One of the crowd favorites was a red cardboard octopus submarine, complete with flailing tentacles and port windows.

Despite its Nascar-like modus, building a soapbox cart is really a STEAM project, combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. It's perfect for school kids and adults, families and friends, and even local companies who want to leave it all on the track while promoting their business.

All carts must be hand-built, and anyone from 8 to 80 yrs old can race. This year we will introduce a new Adult Semi-Pro category (in addition to kids, teens and adults) for those adults who build serious speed carts and want their own special speed prize.

The popularity of the event, and the sport itself, is evident in the distances people will drive to race their carts. We've had racers come from as far away as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York State, and of course Vermont and New Hampshire. Most of these people came to town, stayed overnight, ate local fare, and put on displays of ingenuity and daring-do for the onlookers. Please come out for the races and give them your support.

The Montague Soapbox Races are organized by the Montague Recreation Department as a fundraiser for their programming and equipment. We are looking for sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and of course racers! If you are interested in going down the hill, volunteering, or helping fund this unique event, please visit the race website, where you can find the full year's schedule and forms to register your cart or your intention to sponsor or volunteer (get a free t-shirt, hey!).

Ready? Set... GO!

Posted: to Montague Soapbox Race News on Sun, Feb 20, 2022
Updated: Sun, Feb 20, 2022