A delegation from Star Wars was spotted in Gonderange on Saturday afternoon, adding to the lively atmosphere as the third edition of the Junglinster municipality's soapbox race got underway at 3pm on Rue Kiem.

The event, which started in Rue de la Mairie in 2024 and moved to a new housing development in the village centre in 2025, took place in Gonderange this year. One thing all three courses have in common is a solid downhill slope, which is perfect for gravity-powered racing.

With no engines allowed, soapbox cars rely entirely on gravity and a strong push at the start.

The race begins slowly but picks up speed quickly, which can make for a rather shaky ride in often home-built vehicles. To ensure safety, straw bales lined the course in case of a crash.

Fortunately, while some soapboxes tipped over near the finish line, there were no serious accidents on Saturday.

Six male drivers and one female driver were cheered on by supporters, local politicians, and even Star Wars characters for the fastest possible run down the track.

The hot weather made the challenge even tougher inside the tightly decorated cars and under crash helmets. After a test run and two timed heats, the results were as follows:

In the Kids category, Amaury Berger took first place with a time of 26.13 seconds, followed by Neckel Ries in second (33.67 seconds), and Leonard Leder in third (35.27 seconds).

In the Adults category, Pit Schmit secured victory with 24.41 seconds, with Louis Berger second (26.30 seconds), and Tiago Vieira third (27.70 seconds).

The award for the most original soapbox, named "Restmüll-Rakete" (Residual Waste Rocket), went to Angie Bisenius, who was the only female driver in the competition.

The event was organised by the Junglinster Sports and Youth Commission, in partnership with the Honnerter association, Maison Relais Päiperlek, and the Jonglinster youth centre. The association Tropperplay provided entertainment at the prize ceremony.

The fourth edition of the soapbox competition is scheduled for 2027.