We’re bringing gravity-powered racing to Surrey Research Park – and you’re invited!

Here at Surrey Research Park, we’re home to some of the region’s brightest engineering minds, working on technologies that are helping to shape the future.

But on Wednesday 4 November, we’re swapping high-tech innovation for some decidedly analogue fun – and we’d love you to join us!

For one lunchtime only, we’re turning the visitor car park outside our flagship Surrey Technology Centre into a racetrack for our first-ever Soapbox Derby, where University of Surrey engineering students will take on professionals, including space engineers, in homemade, gravity-powered karts.

We’re inviting families, local residents, students, businesses and anyone who’s curious to come along, pick their favourite team and cheer them on. It’s free, open to everyone.

Four teams. One trophy. Everything to race for!

Delivered in collaboration with British Land, our inaugural competition will see Team Mini Stags, a group of mechanical engineering students from the University of Surrey, take on professional space engineers from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).

Adding to the drama, Team SOAP OPERA will bring its themed kart to the starting grid, while Team Optima Prime hopes to ‘transform’ its creative engineering into a winning performance.

Who will become our first-ever Surrey Research Park Soapbox Derby Champions? Come along and find out!

Caroline Fleming, Director of Surrey Innovation District and Surrey Research Park innovation lead, said:

“This is an incredibly exciting milestone for us. In more than 40 years of Surrey Research Park, we’ve never hosted anything quite like a Soapbox Derby!

“We want more people to experience the best of Surrey’s innovation ecosystem and Surrey Research Park community at its best – bringing together brilliant minds, creative ideas and a shared sense of fun. And what better way to do that than a soapbox race?

“We’d love the local community and anyone who’s curious to come along, cheer on the teams and enjoy something a little different to their day job.”

Beyond the racetrack:

While we’re embracing some good old-fashioned analogue fun on the racetrack, we’ll also be showcasing a glimpse of the future through Surrey IN Motion.

You’ll have the chance to get up close to the University of Surrey’s ZEBRA (Zero Emission Test Bed for Research on Autonomous) vehicle, meet members of the research team and discover how Surrey is developing the skills and technologies shaping the next generation of automotive innovation.

Everyone welcome – come and join us!

📅 Wednesday 4 November 2026

🕚 11am–2pm | First soapbox run at 12 noon

📍Surrey Research Park, Guildford

🎟️ Free entry | No advance registration required

Our Hub on the Park Café will be serving food and refreshments outdoors, so you can grab something to eat trackside while enjoying the action.

Free on-site parking will also be available.

Whether you’re an engineering enthusiast, a curious local resident or simply looking for something a little different to do over lunchtime, we’d love to see you there.