DES MOINES, Iowa (FEBRUARY 11, 2025) – Get ready to roll, Des Moines! Red Bull is looking for teams with a need for speed and flare for creativity to build handcrafted carts to maneuver a daunting downhill course as Iowa welcomes back Red Bull Soapbox Race this May.
The Red Bull Soapbox Race is a race competition in which amateur teams see who can navigate their homemade cart the fastest through a downhill course, filled with obstacles, in front of a crowd of tens-of-thousands. Although the thrills and spills of the race can generate the crowds’ biggest roars, the event is fueled by more than just the need for speed. Teams are judged based on criteria of one-third speed, one-third creativity and one-third showmanship. So, in addition to building the quickest cart, teams will also need to impress the judges and crowd by how outrageous and charismatic they can be.
The race in 2022 saw over 25,000 spectators gather at the Iowa State Capitol Complex, and the city of Des Moines is excited to make the 2025 event even more special.
“Des Moines showed up loud and proud last time we hosted Red Bull Soapbox Race, and we know we’re going to see that again this year. This event brings people from all over the state to our beautiful State Capitol overlooking an awesome view of downtown Des Moines. Spectators and participants are in for another crazy fun time in Des Moines,” said Catch Des Moines President and CEO Greg Edwards.
Red Bull Soapbox Race is also partnering with Iowa-based Hy-Vee and Casey’s to add even more local flavor to the event.
“Casey’s is thrilled to partner with Red Bull and bring back its wild and crazy Soapbox Race to Des Moines on May 31. At Casey’s, we’re all about bringing our guests, team and communities experiences and products they can’t get anywhere else. I can’t wait for our fans to cheer on the epic teams and creative racecars while enjoying an ice-cold Red Bull,” said Tom Brennan, Chief Merchandising Officer, Casey’s.
“Hy-Vee is excited to have the Red Bull Soapbox Race back in Iowa,” said Tina Potthoff, senior vice president of communications, Hy-Vee. “As a longtime partner of Red Bull, we're honored to be part of this community event where people of all ages can compete in a fun atmosphere, and we can come together to celebrate creativity and sportsmanship along the streets of Des Moines.”
Red Bull Soapbox Race Iowa will take place on the afternoon of May 31 at the Iowa State Capitol where up and down Walnut Street massive crowds will watch amateur drivers navigate homemade, gravity-powered carts through a course with ramps, obstacles, and Red Bull Soapbox’s iconic hay-bale lined walls. Winners will be determined by race times, creativity of their cart design and showmanship.
For those daring enough to get behind the wheel, Red Bull is now accepting submissions to compete. The highly competitive application phase will close on March 31 when up to 50 teams will be selected to participate. Teams of five are invited to enter their craziest car concepts through the formal application found at the Red Bull Soapbox website. Past applicants have found inspiration for their car designs in everything from local cultural icons to favorite foods to their field of study in school. Applying to participate in Red Bull Soapbox Iowa is free, but applicants must be 18 years or older to enter.
In 2022, it was the Moonshine MacGyvers from Plymouth, Minnesota, who impressed judges enough to take home top prize. Will they repeat or will a team from the Hawkeye State claim the trophy on their home track?
The event will be free and open to the public. More information on the event, teams and judges will be made available in the weeks and days ahead of the May 31 race. For all Red Bull Soapbox Race Iowa news and info, visit www.redbull.com/soapboxraceiowa.
This year the United States will host three Red Bull Soapbox Races. The race in Des Moines will lead off, with a second in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a third in Los Angeles, California.
All Red Bull Soapbox content past and present can be viewed and downloaded for editorial use via Red Bull Content Pool.
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About Catch Des Moines
The Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Des Moines Area Sports Commission, collectively known as Catch Des Moines, is the official destination marketing organization promoting and representing Greater Des Moines to leisure travelers and meeting/sports planners. Our focus is to increase visitors to the metro and elevate the visitor experience to drive economic success and enhance the quality of life in the 14 local Greater Des Moines communities we represent. For more information, visit catchdesmoines.com.