Mountain Soapbox Derby returns to Livingston for third year

The third annual Mountain Soapbox Derby returns to Livingston on Saturday, April 13th from 10am to 3pm at Meyers Lane in conjunction with the Tap into Montana Brew Fest. This year’s derby course will have a different layout with a few surprises and new challenges. Spectators can enjoy live music and food vendors while watching the thrilling race.
The event kicks off the evening of Friday April 12th from 6–9pm with a live Calcutta auction event at The Buckhorn, where the drivers and cars will be on display and attendees can bid on participating teams.
Proceeds from both events will benefit the Creek to Peak Foundation, an organization that supports underprivileged kids’ dreams to participate in outdoor adventures and sports activities, as well as Montana Matriarch, a women’s giving circle based in Livingston whose mission is to manifest women’s civic engagement by magnifying local needs and motivating through unity. The derby partners with a different nonprofit each year.
“Last year’s event raised $2,800 that was donated to the Park County High School student project The Ranger Station (a mobile coffee cart) and the Gallatin Valley Land Trust. We hope to double that this year,” said derby founder Frank Gazella, Jr.
Created in 2016, the event is the only soapbox derby in the world to run on an off-road mountain course. Last year’s event had 12 teams race and about 400 people in attendance to watch the race.
“It was about the most scared I have been at 30mph, but it was a good time,” said last year’s champion Rodney Hunter with Team Dirty Danglers.
The first-place winner will receive a $500 cash prize and a custom-made trophy that gets passed on from the previous year’s winner.
“Definitely going to do it again in 2019. I have to try and defend my title and put the Dirty Danglers on top again!” said Hunter.
Local businesses also get in on the action by sponsoring a team or building their own car to race on race day. For more information about the event, please visit www.creektopeakwear.com/derby.