Speed racers from across the U.S. hurtled through a downhill course for the Red Bull Soapbox Race DFW as thousands of spectators cheered them on in The Colony. 

Participants from 47 select teams navigated tricky jumps, bumps, curves, and swerves in homemade vehicles using only their own momentum for speed on Saturday. The costumed racers and themed soapboxes were judged on showmanship, creativity, and speed. 

And the winner is…

Four teams took top billing: Team Skeeter Done (Palatka, FL), Team Bomp Pop Racer! (Plano), Team Dallas Mavs ManiAACs (Dallas), and Team Formula Juan (Plano).

Formula Juan competes in Red Bull Soapbox Race Dallas 2019 at Austin Ranch, The Colony in Dallas Fort-Worth. [Courtesy: Red Bull Soapbox]

A local racer, Plano’s Team Formula Juan, took the popular vote. Another local, Team Dallas Mavs ManiAACs, took third place in their basketball shoe craft. Both received a day at the K1 Speed karting track for all team members. 

Dallas Mavs ManiAACs competes in Red Bull Soapbox Race Dallas 2019 at Austin Ranch, The Colony in Dallas Fort-Worth. [Courtesy: Red Bull Soapbox]

Judges noted a group of Plano high schoolers and their Team Bomb Pop Racer! for its passion and excitement—and its “nod to a favorite summer treat.” Second place Team Bomb Pop Racer! received an iFly tunnel flying experience for its team members which included driver Bryce Farnham and crew members Brent Hahn, Josh Thatcher, Quinn Farnham, Bella Loretto, and Kyle Vonbehrenl. 

A group of high schoolers from Plano aimed to “set a world record for the fastest Bomb Pop!,” according to Red Bull Soapbox Race organizers.

Three was a charm for a Florida racer, Team Skeeter Done. “We’ve learned a little each time and put it all together,” the team said, claiming that “mosquitoes are aerodynamic.” The team took first place on its third Red Bull event and received a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” with the Red Bull Air Force. 

Team Skeeter Done poses for a team photo in the pits at Red Bull Soap Box. [Courtesy: Red Bull Soapbox]

Celebrity judges

J-Si Chavez Kidd Kraddick in the Morning’s helped host the festivities, along with Red Bull’s celebrity panel of judges that included Olympic climbing hopeful and Plano native Claire Buhrfeind, “Aaron Needs a Job” star Aaron Kaufman, NBA All-Star Shawn Marion, American rapper Dorrough Music, and baseball legend Pudge Rodriguez, and TV host and personality Kaime Stroot.

The celebrity judges. [Courtesy: Red Bull Soapbox]

This year’s event was the second Red Bull Soapbox Race at Austin Ranch, which hosted the race in 2012. The first Red Bull global event took place in Belgium in 2000 and has since visited almost 30 countries.

Participants celebrate at Red Bull Soapbox Race Dallas 2019 at Austin Ranch, The Colony in Dallas Fort-Worth. [Courtesy: Red Bull Soapbox]