Rules And Specifications

The Badsey Soapbox Races are a competition for amateur built soapboxes (Download the rules)

The course is along Badsey Lane running East of Knowle Hill Plant Centre. The start line is located at the lower side of the flat roofed bungalow that is approximately 25 metres towards Badsey. The winner will be the kart that gets the best time to the bridge over Badsey brook.

There will be a 4-metre push zone at the start of the course - a penalty of 10 seconds is incurred if those assisting the start do not adhere to this zone.

The course is quite steep; participants can expect to reach 20-30 mph. Entrants will have one practice run, each team running on its own. During the race, each competitor will be required to complete two runs; the results are simply the fastest time recorded on the day over both runs.

Disclaimer

Safety is the responsibility of each entrant. No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from publication of or compliance with this specification. This specification is not a guarantee against injury or death to any participant, spectator or official.

Event organisers may impose further restrictions and may permit deviations from any of these specifications. Any deviations from this specification are left to the discretion of the event organisers. No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from any such deviation from this specification.

General Conditions

Every team must accept these Rules and Regulations in full.
Up to three persons are allowed per team, with one driving the kart at any one time. See the safety section for conditions specific to drivers.
Only one of the maximum three team members are permitted to be drivers on the race day. There will be one practice run; the purpose of this run is to enable the driver to get the feel of the course and their kart. The run will not count in the timed competition.
Bright colours, sponsorship and advertising are encouraged, with characterful bodywork. The team name must be shown on the kart.
Any contravention of the Rules and Regulations may lead to disqualification and/or penalties.
The Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to any team without explanation. Their decision will be final.
Karts and drivers will be scrutinised in the pits prior to each run and at any other time, before being allowed to participate.
The Starters decision is final.
After crossing the finishing line, drivers may need to apply their brakes and quickly depart from the track area, under the marshal’s instructions. Note that the last section is uphill.
There will be two categories of team -

Senior for for those aged 18 and above

Junior for those aged 14 to 17

The Organisers reserve the right to disqualify any or all participants that demonstrate inappropriate conduct.
Driving under the influence of drink or drugs will not be allowed.

Technical, Design and Structural Regulations

Maximum length 2500mm measured from front to rear of kart.
Maximum width 1500mm measured from outside to outside.
All welding and general construction should be of a good standard.
There must be no sharp edges or protrusions either inside or outside the vehicle. No glass, Perspex or other materials that would shatter or cause injuries to drivers or spectators in the event of a crash can be used in the construction of the vehicle.
Drivers must remain seated at all times. Drivers may not travel headfirst.
Drivers feet must be protected by a front ‘bumper’ or bodywork.
There must be four wheels fitted, one on each corner; more than two in line wheels will not be allowed and all wheels should be in road contact during normal running.
Good brakes are essential and will be checked. Braking must operate on at least two wheels on the same axle, and be effective to hold the kart stationary at the start.
The driver’s seating must be securely attached to the kart.
Karts must be designed to carry one person only, in a feet first direction.
Any steering column, brake lever or other protrusion must be designed and fitted such that the risk of puncture injuries is minimised.
Lean steering e.g. skateboard is not allowed.
Differential braking or skid steering is not allowed.
Rope and plank steering is not allowed nor feet on front axle.
Steering must not have excessive free play or any characteristic tending to promote instability.
Bodywork and controls must not impede the driver in exiting the vehicle, unaided.
No open floors on the frame will be allowed
Any doors or hatches required for driver access must be easily operated from both inside and outside the vehicle without the use of tools.
Gravity propulsion only i.e. no motors, no pedals and no stored kinetic energy.
No loose weights will be allowed inside or outside the kart.
Seatbelts are not mandatory, but are recommended. Similarly, substantial roll over protection (bar or post) is recommended which should be above the driver’s helmet when the driver is seated.
Scrutineering will happen at 10:00 hrs on the race day, in the Wheatsheaf Inn carpark.

Safety Regulations

The purpose of the event is to have fun, but the safety of the team, supporters and spectators is paramount throughout the day. Accordingly, the organisers reserve the right to amend these rules or go exceed their guidance.

All members of the team will be required to sign a disclaimer as part of the entry form, and these will be checked to ensure all team members present on the race day have signed
All karts must be constructed with pedestrian friendly sympathies. Sharp edges will not be permitted.
No glass or other materials that would shatter or cause injuries to drivers and spectators in the event of a crash should be used in the construction of the kart.
All drivers must attend the drivers briefing.
Scrutineers will have full access to the kart and component parts as required to carry out their duties. The Starters decision is final.
Teams are responsible for the ongoing risk assessments on their kart during the event and are obliged to report any change in risk to the scrutineers.
No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from the publication of, or compliance with, these rules and/or regulations. This published material is in no way a guarantee against injury to team members, supporters or spectators.

Clothing For Driver’s

The driver’s body and limbs must be fully covered by suitable abrasion resistant clothing such as heavy-duty overalls, a karting suit or motorcycle leathers or similar. Sturdy footwear and abrasion resistant gloves must be worn.

A properly fitted neck support is strongly advised at all times when competing. The driver must wear a helmet at all times when competing or when being moved. A motorcycle helmet or similar is recommended.