Teams gear up for Red Bull Soapbox Derby in Seattle -- with steepest course ever!

SEATTLE -- 39 teams are preparing to take on the steepest course in soapbox history!

The Red Bull Soapbox Race is a national race for amateur drivers from all around the country.

Drivers use only gravity for the non-motorized event. Teams design and build their own "Soapbox dream machines" to compete in a downhill race.

The Soapboxes reach speeds of 40 mph, but winning the race isn't enough -- teams are also judged on speed, creativity and showmanship.



The Red Bull Soapbox Race is free and open to the public. It all gets underway Sunday, August 24th at Yesler Way and 2nd Avenue in downtown Seattle.

Pits open at 11:00 a.m. and racing begins at 1:00 p.m.

The 2007 event in Seattle drew a crowd of 40,000 people. This is the only race in 2014.