News Article

Build Plans and Rule Changes for 2025/26 Rally Season

Changes do not impact the 2024/25 season, including the remaining 2025 local races, rallies or the World Championships in Akron on July 19.

AKRON, Ohio – (June 6, 2025) – The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) announces changes to master build plans and rules governing wheel swaps for the 2025-26 Rally season.

The build and rule changes do not apply to 2025 local races or the world championship in July, said ISBD President and CEO Scott Taylor.

“We are getting word out sooner than later so our participants are able to plan for next season,” Taylor said. “We encourage our participants to work with their regional directors if they have any questions.”

Changes effect master build plans and rules governing wheel swaps.

The changes for the 2025-2026 season are:

  • Masters Build Plan addition – stipulates that the six (6) elevator bolts in the rear of the master car may be epoxied in the floorboard of the master car. The epoxy must not extend above the top surface of the mounting plate or on the threads, washers, or nuts of the bolts above the top of the mounting. If using a second plate must be easy to remove. (See photo for allowed epoxy area details.)

  • New wheel swap rule – allows for a third type of wheel swap: 0/4/0 progressive with an initial wheel bank provided by either the race city or pool of wheels. Read the new wheel swap rule change

If you have additional questions, we encourage you to work with your regional directors.

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