Volunteers

Help Make Race Day Happen

The Eastridge Neighborhood Soapbox Derby runs on gravity, creativity, and a whole lot of neighbor power. Volunteers help make the day safe, organized, welcoming, and fun for everyone. Whether you can help with setup, check-in, race support, safety, cheering on racers, or cleanup, there is a place for you.

You do not need derby experience to volunteer. You just need a willingness to pitch in, support the kids and families participating, and help create a great community tradition. Every helping hand makes a difference.

Volunteering

If you’re willing to help, please signup on this form: Soapbox Interest Signup.

Pre-race day volunteering opportunities:

• Mentor a youth making a car (maker space available)

• Volunteer during the Maker Space time.

• Volunteer a maker space (garage with some basic tools).

• Volunteer to help promote the Derby.

Race day volunteering opportunities: 

Race Day: Saturday Sept 12, 2026

• Track Prep Crew - 8:00 am - 9:30 am - Setup barricades, traffic cones, straw bales, canopy, etc. Put up signage.

• Pit Lane Inspectors (Check-In) - 9:00 am - 9:45 am - Assign number to cars, car safety inspection. Create heat pairings.

• Medical Station Crew - 9:45 am - 12:30 pm - Looking for someone with good first aid skills, and run hydration station (refill water jug).

• Pit Crew - 9:45 am - 12:30 pm - Looking for a couple of volunteers to bring a few tools to help repair cars that break down during racing.

• Transport Marshals - 9:45 am - 12:30 pm - Shuttle cars from bottom to top (via Pineridge) truck/trailer, help load cars onto truck.

• Green Flag Officials (Starting Line) - 9:45 am - 12:30 pm - Queue up cars, line up cars on start line, send cars on their way.

• Course Safety Marshals - 9:45 am - 12:30 pm - Stationed along the track to monitor race conditions, respond to incidents, and ensure the well-being of all participants & spectators.

• Checkered Flag Officials (Finish Line) - 9:45 am - 12:30 pm - Line judges, data entry, help cars exit course, communication hub for start line.

• Track Reset Crew - 12:30 pm till finished - Everyone who volunteers is responsible for takedown of their portion. But we need a few extra people to get all the gear back where it needs to go. Racers are to help too.

• Official Track Photographer - 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM - Take pictures of all aspects of the race.

• Race Day DJ & MC - 9:50 AM- 12:30 PM - [Position Filled]

We ask that you be willing to volunteer for wherever your help is needed. We will entertain preferences. 

Needed Supplies & Equipment

If you’re willing to help, please signup on this form: Soapbox Interest Signup.

Pre-race day:

• Donate materials (i.e., Plywood, kits)

• (Other items coming soon)

Race day: 

Race Day: Saturday Sept 12, 2026

• Lend a 20'-30' deckover flatbed trailer. We are looking to build racer launching ramps off the side.

• Lend road barricades.

• Lend soapbox racer barricades. Ideas include: Hay bales, wood mulch, a bunch of traffic safety cones lying on their sides, or ... 

• Lend up to 6 walkie talkies.

• Lend up to 10-15 safety vests for Race Officials.

• Lend up to 4 popup canopies.

• Donate First Aid supplies.

• Donate water cups.

• Donate caution tape.

• (Check back the closer we get to race day for additional items we may need.)