What is Achieva Box Car Rally?

• The Achieva Box Car Rally is a unique community event benefiting Pinellas County Schools by providing classroom grants. It is a day of racing, food, kids games, inflatables, balloon art, face painting, and family fun. This event brings families together in a unique opportunity to build a car together and race as a team, while also engaging local business partners in the form of sponsorships and participation. The event offers two box car divisions and six race classes in each. Please note that this is not an All-American Soap Box Derby sanctioned event and is a unique fundraiser hosted and executed by Achieva Credit Union.

When is the event?

• The Achieva Box Car Rally will be held on October 5, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm.

Where is the event held?

• The event is held in downtown Clearwater. The starting line is at the intersection of Osceola Avenue and Cleveland Street, racing west on Cleveland Street down the hill and finishing at the waterfront.

How much does the event cost to attend?

• This event is FREE to attend and spectate! Food and some children’s games require purchase and all proceeds support classroom grants.

What is the fee to race?

• Registration Requirements:

  • Each car will be allowed entry into a maximum of three race classes in its qualifying car division. Race teams are limited to a maximum of five people, including drivers and pit crew dependent on how many race classes entered. Unregistered individuals will not be permitted to enter the Pit and Starting Line area.

• Entry fees:

  • Entry for one car into one race class: $60. Additional race class entry (up to two): $15
  • School Teams (built and raced by students on behalf of a school): Entry for one car into one race class: $35. Additional race class entry (up to two): $15
  • Use promo code: SCHOOL during checkout to receive school team pricing.
  • Racer shirts will be guaranteed for all racers registered by September 13
  • EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Register by August 26 to receive a $10 discount
  • LATE REGISTRATION FEE: Registrations received between September 23-30 will be assessed a $15 additional fee and will not be guaranteed racer shirts
  • REGISTRATION CLOSES: All race team registration closes on September 30.

When is racer registration due?

• Registration closes at !0:00 am on Monday, September 30 to allow for scheduling of race heats. Register here

What is the age limit to race?

• Pee Wee: driver is age 7-12
• Teen: driver is age 13-17
• Adult: driver is age 18 and above
• High School: driver and car represent a high school team
• Corporate: driver and car represent a business or organization team
• Auto League: driver and car represent a business in the automotive industry

How many times can I race?

• Each car is permitted to race in up to three race classes for which the teams and drivers qualify.

How do I build a car?

• All cars must meet the construction specifications outlined here: Construction Specifications.
• Cars entering the AASBD style car division may purchase car kits here: Purchase car kit.

What are the rules?

• All participants must adhere to the event rules and regulations. Complete Rules.

Location

• The Box Car Rally takes place in downtown Clearwater. The race track is on Cleveland Street, with the starting line at the intersection of Cleveland Street & Osceola Avenue, finishing at the bottom of the hill at the waterfront.

Event Map

• View the race track layout, car drop off, racer check-in and activity locations here. Event Map.

Parking

• Free event parking is available in the lower Harborview Center parking lot, indicated on the event map. Parking is also available in the Garden Avenue parking garage. Vehicles pulling trailers are encouraged to park in the City Hall parking lot, located at 112 S Osceola Ave.
• Parking at the Clearwater Public Library is NOT permitted.

Schedule

• View the race and activity schedule. Please note that the race schedule is an estimation and times may vary due to the nature of the event. Schedule of Events

Car Divisions

• Homemade: The shell of the car is built from scratch. Axle and wheels may be purchased.
• All-American Soap Box Derby Style (AASBD Style): The car is built from a prefabricated kit purchased from AASBD.

Race Classes

• There will be six race classes in each car division:

  • Pee Wee: driver is age 7-12
  • Teen: driver is age 13-17
  • Adult: driver is age 18 and above
  • High School: driver and car represent a high school team
  • Corporate: driver and car represent a business or organization team
  • Auto League: driver and car represent a business in the automotive industry

Racing Fees

• Registration Requirements:

  • Each car will be allowed entry into a maximum of three race classes in its qualifying car division. Race teams are limited to a maximum of five people, including drivers and pit crew dependent on how many race classes entered. Unregistered individuals will not be permitted to enter the Pit and Starting Line area.

• Entry fees:

  • Entry for one car into one race class: $60. Additional race class entry (up to two): $15
  • School Teams (built and raced by students on behalf of a school): Entry for one car into one race class: $35. Additional race class entry (up to two): $15
  • Use promo code: SCHOOL during checkout to receive school team pricing.
  • Racer shirts will be guaranteed for all racers registered by September 13
  • EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Register by August 26 to receive a $10 discount
  • LATE REGISTRATION FEE: Registrations received between September 23-30 will be assessed a $15 additional fee and will not be guaranteed racer shirts
  • REGISTRATION CLOSES: All race team registration closes on September 30.

Car Construction & Event Rules

• Each car must pass inspection prior to racing according to the construction specifications.

  • Construction Specifications.
  • An AASBD kit can be purchased here: Purchase car kit.
  • A basic Homemade starter kit can be purchased here: Purchase starter kit.
• All participants must adhere to the event rules and regulations. Complete Rules.

Racing and Scoring Process:

• The starting line is on Cleveland St at the Osceola Ave intersection racing approximately 0.1 mile down the Cleveland St hill and finishing at the entrance to the Harborview Center parking lot. A starting ramp will be used for each race, with two cars in each heat. Each car will be allotted two heats in each division it is registered for. Each heat will be scored using an automated timing system. The fastest of both heats will be used for ranking in each race class. A team may choose not to race its second heat. Upon crossing the finish line, drivers must apply brakes and will have a stopping distance before the end of the track.

Awards

• In each race class the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be awarded trophies. Additional awards will be given in the following categories for both Homemade and AASBD Style divisions:
  • Best in Show
  • Best Team Theme (costumes)
  • Best High School Car
  • Best Company Car
  • Most Original
  • Funniest Car
  • Most Outrageous

Food & Beverage

• Some of Tampa Bay’s finest food vendors will be onsite! They will be serving a variety of food and beverage items available for purchase. All food purchases can be made with cash or credit cards. An ATM will also be available.

Entertainment & Activities

• Children’s games and activities will be available throughout the entire event, including Bounce Houses, carnival games, a balloon artist, face painter, green screen photos and the chance to paint a mini box car. These will be located in the Kids Fun Zone at the bottom of the hill.

Congratulations on a great day of racing! Separated by year, past event results can be viewed here.

• 2019 Results
• 2018 Results
• 2017 Results
• 2016 Results
• 2015 Results
• 2014 Results