Surrey innovators challenged to build and compete in first-ever Surrey Research Park Soapbox Derby

Companies and innovators from across Surrey and beyond are being invited to put their engineering ingenuity, creativity and competitive drive to the test in the first-ever Surrey Research Park Soapbox Derby.

On Wednesday 4 November 2026, teams will gather outside the Park’s flagship Surrey Technology Centre, in Guildford, for a test of raw innovation – combining design, engineering, teamwork and style in a gravity-powered kart challenge.

The lunchtime event will see teams of up to six design, build and test their own gravity-powered soapbox racers before one team member will take to the driving seat for a timed run along an approximately 75-metre course.

While there will inevitably be bragging rights for the team crossing the line fastest, the competition is about much more than speed.

In a nod to the showmanship of Red Bull-style soapbox racing – and recognising the importance of creativity to innovation – teams will be rewarded for bringing imagination and personality to the starting line. Engineering excellence, novel designs, costumes and a short pre-race performance will all form part of the spectacle.

Four decades of innovation. One very different engineering challenge.

Since 1985, Surrey Research Park has been a strategic base for pioneering businesses at the forefront of technology, developing solutions to society’s biggest complex challenges.

Today, around 200 innovative companies are based at the Park, collectively employing more than 7,000 people. The technologies being developed have changed enormously over those four decades, but the underlying culture of collaboration and creative problem-solving is unchanged.

The free lunchtime event will be open to spectators and will bring together teams from Surrey Research Park, the University of Surrey and innovative companies from across Surrey and beyond, all competing to become the first Surrey Research Park Soapbox Champion.

Caroline Fleming, Director of Surrey Innovation District and Innovation Lead at Surrey Research Park, part of the University of Surrey said:

“With our first Soapbox Derby, we’re stripping innovation back to its core elements – applying creativity and ingenuity to turn an idea into something that works – in this case, that’s a soapbox racer.

“Innovation and creativity are central to Surrey’s identity and economic success, and places like Surrey Research Park are important to making that happen. Thriving innovation communities need reasons to bring people together, exchange ideas, make new connections, build relationships and sometimes just do something that’s a bit of fun.

“We’re inviting teams from across the region to step out of their offices, workshops and labs, bring their ideas, expertise and personalities to the challenge, and just enjoy doing something very different to their average day at work.”

Ready to rise to the Surrey Research Park Soapbox challenge?

Come and pit your ideas, engineering and teamwork against some of the region’s brightest minds and innovation leaders, and compete to become the first Surrey Research Park Soapbox Champion.

Teams can include up to six people and the deadline for teams to sign up and secure their place on the grid is  Friday 2 October 2026.

For full details on how to take part, register your interest and download the Participant Guide use the link below or discover more in our Soapbox Derby FAQ