The Gravity Grand Prix

Attending the Gravity Grand Prix

The Gravity Grand Prix takes place in the beautiful village of Cookham Dean, with thrilling soapbox racing speeding down the main road through the village from 1:00pm.

Entry & Spectator Experience

Entry is FREE, so gather your family & friends and arrive early to grab a prime viewing spot along the course.
Prefer a relaxed experience? Bring a picnic blanket and settle down on the Old Cricket Green, located at the heart of the course (opposite the Village Hall).
Enjoy a fantastic selection of food and drink stalls, all provided by local vendors, celebrating the best flavors from the community. Available at the Start Bar and at the main Race Villiage on the Old Cricket Green.
Families can explore the kids’ fun fair, adding extra excitement to the day!

Get Up Close to the Action

Want to see the karts and competitors up close? Visit:

Start Pit-lane (top of the course) – Catch the teams preparing for their runs. Grab refreshments from the Start Bar & BBQ.
Finish Pit-lane (bottom of the course) – Celebrate the racers as they complete the course. Enjoy food and drinks at Uncle Tom’s Cabin Pub.

Facilities & Parking

Toilets are available along the course, including facilities at The Jolly Farmer and Uncle Tom’s Cabin (refer to the course map for exact locations).
Parking is available, with walking access leading directly onto the Old Cricket Green.
Road closures begin at 12pm —please note that there will be no access to the main parking area from Hills Lane or Popes Lane after this time.

Moving Around During the Event

Before and after racing sessions, spectators can walk up and down the course freely to find the perfect viewing spot—please follow marshal instructions.
While racing is underway, movement along the course is limited to designated walkways and crossings to ensure safety.

Race Day Timings

8:00 AM – Kart Arrivals & Course Build Begins The first karts begin arriving, and our dedicated team of volunteers works hard to complete the final course setup. Karts will continue to arrive throughout the morning, with all entries positioned at the start area by 12 PM.

9:00 AM – The Start Bar Opens Kickstart the day with teas, coffees, and bacon rolls, or indulge in beers and cocktails for those looking to get into the festive spirit early.

12:00 PM – ROAD CLOSED The racecourse is officially closed to public traffic, allowing us to complete final preparations. Spectators can walk the entire length of the course, picking the perfect spot for prime viewing. Around this time, the food and drink stalls on the Old Cricket Green begin opening, offering a fantastic selection from local vendors. Movement along the course is still possible via designated walkways.

1:00 PM – RACE STARTS! The adrenaline begins as the Gravity Grand Prix officially kicks off, running until approximately 4:45 PM. Expect high-speed thrills, incredible kart designs, and intense competition as teams battle it out on the downhill course.

4:45 PM – Live Music at Uncle Tom’s Cabin The celebrations continue as Uncle Tom’s Cabin hosts a live band in their beer garden. Free to enter, this evening tradition has become a lively post-race party, bringing racers, spectators, and volunteers together for one final celebration.

5:00 PM (ish) – Prize Giving on the Green Gather around for the official awards ceremony, where winning teams will be recognized for their achievements. If available, Cookham legend Ross Kemp will present the prizes, adding extra prestige to the occasion.

Final Wrap-Up – Course Clear-Up & Road Reopening Once the prize-giving concludes, our volunteers begin the big cleanup, restoring Cookham Dean to its usual peaceful charm. Public traffic access is reinstated, marking the close of another spectacular Gravity Grand Prix.

Welfare

Medical Assistance - A paramedic service is in place throughout the event, based adjacent to the War Memorial, opposite the Village Hall and fully accessible. If assistance is needed, please visit the paramedics directly or contact a steward who can summon assistance
Lost Children/Parents - If you become separate from children, or you find a lots child, please contact member of the event's team. We have a meeting point at the Information point, shown on the Event Map
Toilets - Please see our Event Map for the location of toilet facilities