IN A NUTSHELL
- The Red Bull Box Cart Race returns to Johannesburg this September
- Teams build gravity powered carts and race down Sandton Drive
- Creativity, speed and pure chaos all count towards the win
The Red Bull Box Cart Race is making its return to Joburg in September for another fun and wild rides.
Taking over Sandton Drive on Sunday, 27 September 2026, the beloved event will once again transform one of the city’s busiest streets into a playground of creativity, speed and controlled chaos.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, the rules are beautifully simple. Teams of up to five people design and build their own custom carts from scratch. No engines. No batteries. No hidden power sources. Gravity does all the work.
But this is about far more than getting from the start line to the finish. Before launching down the course, every team must perform a short skit for the judges and crowd, adding a healthy dose of theatre to the day’s proceedings.
Once the performances are done, drivers take on a specially built course packed with obstacles, jumps, tight corners and plenty of opportunities for things to go spectacularly wrong.
And that is exactly why people love it.
While speed certainly helps, winning the Red Bull Box Cart Race requires more than just a fast cart. Teams are judged across three categories: creativity, showmanship and race time. Some of the most memorable winners in the event’s history have been the teams with the craziest concepts, outrageous costumes and unforgettable performances.
Johannesburg last hosted the event in 2018 when 80 teams took over Sandton Drive in front of thousands of spectators. This year’s edition promises to go even bigger, bringing together ambitious builders, fearless drivers and some of the most imaginative ideas you’ll see anywhere.
Even if you’re not entering a cart, the event remains one of the most entertaining days out in the city. Expect huge crowds, hilarious crashes, near misses, larger than life characters and uniquely South African creativity on full display.
Entries are now open for those who are keen to take part here.
