Whanganui’s Soapbox Derby aims to rival country’s biggest under new committee

There will be eight categories to enter in 2026, including five age groups. Photo /NZME

Whanganui’s soapbox derby will return in 2026 with a new committee vowing to make sure it runs every year and rival the country’s biggest.

The event, part of Whanganui Vintage Weekend, takes place down Drews Ave.

Organiser Brad Fitness said his children and nephews had competed in years gone by.

“It was running every other year, then there was going to be a two-year gap. It probably would have died a death, I‘d imagine,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into it, and getting a few people together means that load is shared a bit more.”

Dan Goldsworthy from Plumber Dan has been in charge of the event in recent years, with Mick Paul from Totalspan running it previously.

“In construction, the end of the year is the busiest time – everyone wants every project finished and they had to do this [derby] on top of it,” Fitness said.

“Plumber Dan is still heavily involved – he’s on the committee, and is the naming sponsor this year.”

Fitness said he was aware of two other soapbox derbies in the North Island, although the Napier event, part of the Art Deco Festival, “doesn’t have much of a gradient”.

The major derby is the Trolley Grand Prix in Auckland.

“Getting it bigger and better is the goal, and getting it rivalling Auckland,” he said.

“There’s a lot you can do to grow the whole thing.

Fitness said carts had to have brakes, be under 100kg and pass scrutineering.

“There is a set of rules to follow.

“Old ride-on lawnmowers have gone down there, shopping trolleys, running boards off four-wheel drives, even ladders.”

The event last ran in 2024, with entrants’ ages ranging from 3 to their late 60s.

Fitness, a long-time car enthusiast, said the soapbox derby “just ticks all the boxes for me”.

“It’s good for the weekend, it’s good for Whanganui, there’s no pollution, and it’s a lot of fun.

“Next year, there’ll be drift trikes, stock cars, five age groups, and a new category: business against business.”

The event is on January 19 from 9am.

Those interested in taking part can visit the Plumber Dan Soap Box Derby Facebook page.

A new event website will go online this week.

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.