Trinity's Soap Box Derby is an (inconsistent) traditional race down Vernon Street during Senior Week. Students are required to construct their own vehicles to ride in, the constraints being that they must have breaks, at least three wheels, and are only propelled by gravity.

The first derby was hosted in 1956 by the Interfraterity Council, with the racers being representatives of different fraternities. As seen in future derbies, the race was sponsored and aimed to raise money for charity, in this case an underprivileged child child in the Hartford Soap Box Derby that year. In 1985 the money went to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Later derbies were held and organized by singular fraternities, and participation was not limited to those in frats. Vernon Street is closed off by police during the derby and vehicles are inspected prior to the race to ensure the safety of both the racers and the onlookers. The derby was held fairly consistently during Senior Week from its debut in 1956 up until the late 80's, but has seemingly not been reported as happening since 1987.

https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1924&context=reporter

https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3999&context=tripod

https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2061&context=reporter

https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&context=tripod