In Portland, this soap box derby combines downhill speed with extreme pageantry

Soap box derbies send motorless cars down a steep incline. At one event, contestants make their cars look like cartoon characters, subway cars, food, and giant animals (among other outlandish shapes).

NPR1 hr ago

Published by CurrentWire Aug 18, 2026 at 5:35 AM ET · First coverage Aug 18, 2026 at 5:30 AM ET

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Summary based on reporting from NPR.

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In Portland, this soap box derby combines downhill speed with extreme pageantry(opens original report in a new tab)1 hr ago

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