Folsom Handcar Derby

Overview

Since 1991, Folsom, El Dorado, and Sacramento Historical Railroad Association has hosted the annual Folsom Handcar Derby on the former Southern Pacific Placerville Branch, where local businesses, groups, and charities compete to get their handcar across the finish line in the fastest time.

The event also features competitions for individual strength and endurance, and it’s the only known event in the world to feature quadripede racing!

Our official racing handcars are provided for time trials & racing.
Timing is done electronically.
The event runs rain or shine.
All proceeds benefit Folsom, El Dorado, and Sacramento Historical Railroad Association, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Handcar Racing

Each team is comprised of 5 members: 4 pumpers and 1 pusher. The pusher pushes the handcar into motion at the beginning of the track, and then the pumpers take over and pump the handcar to the end of the track.

Pushers Contest

Each team’s pusher will automatically be entered in the pushers contest on Sunday. Pushers are placed in weight divisions and compete on how far they can push an empty handcar down the track with a single push.

Divisions

Open

Teams will be divided into weight classes.
No more than two team members that were part of a past first place team in the last three years are allowed.

Co-ed

At least 2 team members must be women.

Women’s

All entrants must be women.

Masters

All entrants must be 40 years old or older.

Seniors

All entrants must be 55 years old or older.

Elite Women & Elite Masters

All must be past first place medal winners from the Folsom Handcar Derby and other handcar races.

Quadripede Racing

Location

The race takes place along East Bidwell Street at Broadstone Parkway in front of Broadstone Marketplace.

Schedule (2019)

Saturday, May 18

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Registration/Practice/Qualifying
Teams get practice, trial time run, and safety training on handcar. All teams from each division running trial runs will advance to the finals.

Team Photos

Sunday, May 19

9:00am – 9:45am

Pusher’s Contest

9:45am – 10:00am

Opening Ceremony

10:00am – 1:00pm

Handcar Racing

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Quadripede Racing

2:30pm – End

Award Ceremony/Photos
Awards will be presented to the first and second place teams of each of the nine divisions when at least 4 teams are entered in that division. Pusher Contest awards will be given to the top three distances in all divisions.

Teardown
All teams are included. It’s an event tradition!

Rules

All competitors must be at least 18 years of age on practice or race days to participate.
A single competitor may be on more than one team, so long as the teams are in different divisions.
All paid entries must be received two weeks before the event.
T- shirts and team numbers will be picked up at the check in area on race day. Teams not paid by four days before the event will receive XL shirts for each team member.
A complete set of official rules will be given to the team captain upon receipt of the team’s entry form and fees. A schedule for the race will also be included, along with other important information, reminders, and instructions.
All teams must receive a mandatory safety and training session on handcar and quadripede operation before being allowed to race.
Time trials must be completed before Sunday’s final events.

Fees

Entry fee is $25.00 per person for the 5 member team (total $125.00).
The first 20 teams entered will receive a short-sleeve Folsom Handcar Derby t-shirt (5 shirts per team, $3.00 extra for each XXL shirt).
Quadripede racing is $10.00 per person per race. Two people are required to race.
Pushers Contest is $5.00 per person (if not already a pusher for a team)