Thousands of spectators flocked to West Portway Industrial Estate on Sunday 25th May to witness the third instalment of the Andover Soapbox Derby, organised by Andover Community Events. With the sun beaming down and the atmosphere buzzing, 22 imaginative and daring teams took to the track for two exhilarating runs each.
The event, which was free to attend, once again proved a firm family favourite. This year’s derby was in aid of local mental health charity Koala, with a fundraising total expected to be announced in the coming days. Donations are still being accepted via JustGiving.
Andover Radio’s Ben Tuffin hosted the day’s proceedings, keeping the crowd entertained and energised. Adding a unique twist to the coverage were Dave Allon and Pete Burden, also from Andover Radio, who were hoisted above the track to deliver their now-trademark comedic commentary, much to the crowd’s delight.
Photo Credit: Daniel Ghita/Andover Radio & Love Andover
From cleverly crafted karts to high-speed thrills and a dash of chaos, the day celebrated creativity, community spirit, and good-natured competition. Judges and the public alike were treated to a show of engineering brilliance and theatrical flair.
Results:
Judges’ Choice:
🏆 Flying Dumbbell
People’s Choice Award:
🏆 Rufus Hound
Corporate Entries:
🥇 Cool Runnings – 36.67 secs
🥈 DB Method – 42.26 secs
🥉 Old Boyz – 42.92 secs
Private Entries:
🥇 Smokey Bob – 39.95 secs
🥈 Uncool Runnings – 45.31 secs
🥉 Dudes of Hazard – 45.37 secs
The sheer effort, passion and creativity poured into the soapboxes was clear to see, with competitors of all ages and backgrounds getting involved. The event was hailed a huge success by organisers, sponsors, and attendees alike.
Mark Pearce of KJM Group, one of the event’s main sponsors and a judge on the day, said:
“We’re proud to support events like the Soapbox Derby because they bring the whole community together in such a positive way. It’s more than just a fun day out — it showcases local talent, promotes small charities, and reminds us all of what Andover can achieve when people come together.”
Kevin Rush of Andover Community Events, the organisation behind the Soapbox Derby, added:
“We’re blown away by the turnout and the support from local businesses, volunteers and spectators. It’s been our biggest and best yet, and we’re already looking forward to 2026. A massive thank you to everyone who made it possible.”
Looking ahead, organisers have already confirmed that the Soapbox Derby will return next year on Sunday 24th May 2026 — giving would-be racers plenty of time to get designing and building.
For more updates and how to get involved in next year’s race, follow Andover Community Events on social media.
