The Red Bull Box Cart Race competitions are returning to Johannesburg on October 4th. The event will take place on Sandton Drive, where movement will be provided by gravity rather than engines. Participants will compete in a race using homemade, non-motorized carts.
The eighth South African edition of this event will begin at 11 am. Before the carts start moving, teams are required to present a short performance to judges and spectators, utilizing costumes and creative designs as part of the spectacle. After the start, the carts will navigate obstacles and descents, with some potentially finishing while others may end due to accidents or tumbles.
Judges evaluate the carts based on three criteria: speed, creativity, and artistry, meaning that the fastest participant is not guaranteed to win. For the teams, this event is not only a race but also a demonstration of creativity and entertainment.
Team Noma Yini reported that they participated in the competition for the opportunity to have fun while showcasing their creativity, representation, and storytelling. They stated: 'We signed up honestly because it's fun, but it's also about creativity, representation, and telling our story.'
Newcomers, the Takealot-supported team Kwik Kwik Nauw Nauw, are also aiming for first place by presenting a design and performance inspired by delivery. This team noted: 'This is our first Red Bull Box Cart Race, and we are excited to present Kwik Kwik Nauw Nauw, supported by Takealot, on the track.'
Previously, the event was held in Cape Town, where the latest versions raced along the steep cobbled streets of Bo-Kaap, attracting over 22,000 spectators at each of these events. The current champions are Potjie Boytjies from Stellenbosch, who won using a potjie pot cart.
The Johannesburg event is part of the global Red Bull Box Cart Race calendar for 2026, which also includes cities such as Belfast, London, Denver, and Los Angeles. Attendance at the Johannesburg event is free, and spectators are invited to watch the action from the hill along Sandton Drive.