198 Wool Street, Folsom, CA 95630 916-985-6001

Folsom Handcar Derby Fundraiser

Thank you for making the
31st Annual Folsom Handcar Derby
held on
May 4th & 5th, 2024 a wonderful success!

Overview

Since 1992, 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!

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

  • Our official racing handcars are provided for all trials & racing.
  • All participants must be 18 years old.
  • 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.
Additional pushers can be entered for a small donation.

Quadripede Racing

Quadripede racing is available for those that cannot get enough time on the tracks.

Divisions

DivisionRookieGeneralEliteMasters
Open
Teams are 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.
X X X
Coed
At least 2 team members must be women.
X X X X
Women
All team members must be women.
X X
Seniors
All team members must be 55 years old or older.
X
Elite
All team members must be past first place medal winners from the Folsom Handcar Derby or other handcar races.
X
Masters
All team members must be 40 years of age or over.
X

Awards/Medals

Award medals will be presented to each of the divisions. Pusher Contest medals will be given to the top distances in all divisions.


Schedule
(Subject to change)

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

Saturday,

9:00 am – 3:00 pmRegistration/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. (Set aside about 90 minutes per team for Saturday)

Team Photos

Sunday,

8:30amPushers Practice Time
9:00amPusher’s Contest
9:45am – 10:00amOpening Ceremony
*10:00am Handcar Racing
*1:00pmQuadripede Racing
2:00pm – End

*Event & times subject to change or cancelation


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!

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 Handcar t-shirt (5 shirts per team, $3.00/$5.00 extra for each XXL or XXXL shirt if available. Must have entry fee paid to order XXL or XXXL shirt selections.)
  • 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)

Rules & Safety

Please refer to the rules below for each event you are planning to participate in: (Rules are subject to change)

Forms

Past Race Results

2020 & 2021
Cancelled due to CA COVID restrictions

Media

Local News

Video

More Information