How the World's Largest Soapbox was Created in Allgäu – powered by Allgäu Events
World Record
Records don’t happen by chance. They are the result of an idea conceived big enough and a team that consistently orchestrates it – just as we do every day for our clients. We usually plan high-quality B2B events that are perfectly staged. In 2015, however, we took this expertise to the streets – quite literally: with the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest soapbox.
World Record
As part of the Allgäu Classics, we implemented a charity event for Kartei der Not, coordinating numerous partners, permits, and logistical processes. Our world record still demonstrates today how our full-service approach with Allgäu Events transforms extraordinary ideas into spectacular experiences.
From Idea to World Record
Teamwork
The starting point was surprisingly pragmatic: soapbox events were already part of our portfolio. In a brainstorming session with our brand partner Red Monkeys, we discussed how we could better position our event format. Instead of mere marketing, the vision of a world record quickly emerged, which we wanted to combine with a charity event as part of the Allgäu Classics vintage car race.
“We knew: if we do this, we do it right. Not as a gag, but as a true flagship project with impact,” recalls owner and managing director Matthias Lenz. The idea was set – and with it began a planning phase that quickly proved to be highly complex.
Guinness Sets the Standard
Planning
Anyone who wants to set a world record must adhere to clear guidelines – in our case, Guinness required a soapbox at least eight meters long, four meters wide, and a 400-meter track that it had to cover under its own power.
Planning and actually making a construction of this magnitude roadworthy presented challenges even for us: in addition to design and statics, it involved safety issues, permits, logistics, and the coordination of numerous partners. At the same time, communication was already in full swing: sponsors had already been recruited, and the event was announced with media impact and integrated into the Allgäu Classics.
“When it became clear what dimensions this project would take on, we too felt a certain respect. But that’s exactly what excites us in our daily work: projects that don’t follow a blueprint – but where we do everything we can to make them possible,” says our managing director Dominik Bollig.
It quickly became clear: a world record of this magnitude can only be achieved together. Regional partners supported us with materials, know-how, and infrastructure. Apprentices from Robert Bosch helped with construction, wood was sponsored, and Hotel Oberstdorf provided space for assembly. Other supporters organized drivers, brakemen, and additional sponsors.
We took on the central coordination – from technical planning, sponsoring, and communication to integration into the overall staging of the Allgäu Classics.
One Project, Many Partners
Together
Track sought – and found
Where?
While construction and partnerships took shape, a crucial question remained unanswered: where should the world’s largest soapbox actually drive?
The originally favored route proved unfeasible for various reasons. An alternative was needed – quickly. The solution finally came from the municipality of Schöllang near Oberstdorf: a district road was made available for our event; supported by the municipality, fire department, and music association.
With the track, the biggest obstacle seemed overcome. But the next followed immediately: how do you transport an oversized soapbox to its deployment site?
The finished construction exceeded even optimistic expectations. Official measurements by Guinness World Records revealed impressive dimensions: 8.88 meters long and 4.24 meters wide. That was big enough for the record – but also brought further logistical challenges.
The transport required heavy-duty transport, accompanied by police and special permits. A short helicopter flight was even planned for the final journey to the track. Everything was coordinated, permits were in place – until shortly before the destination, a new measurement showed: 24 centimeters too wide for the original transport approval.
Logistics Under High Tension
Pressure
The permit was thus invalid. And it was the weekend.
What followed was a lesson in pragmatic cooperation: in close coordination with the authorities, we managed to obtain a new special permit at short notice. The transport could continue.
“Such moments decide whether a project works or fails,” says Lenz. “That’s when you see how important trust, quick coordination, and a reliable network are.”
The Big Day
Success...?
On the day of the event, the result of weeks of planning finally became apparent: under the eyes of the Guinness judge, the soapbox was officially released.
It reached the track by helicopter, accompanied by curious glances and growing excitement. A Fendt tractor brought the construction to the start, brass music accompanied the spectacle. Then the moment we had worked towards: the start.
At the wheel: Bernd Mayländer, Formula 1 Safety Car driver. At the brakes: Matthias Dolderer, aerobatic pilot and Red Bull Air Race champion.
Without a test run, the world’s largest soapbox set off. It rolled – stable, controlled, accompanied by music and cheering spectators – down the track and crossed the finish line.
The record was achieved!
In addition to the official world record, the project ultimately yielded a result that gave it additional significance: 25,000 Euros donated to “Kartei der Not.”
Media attention was high, and the regional response was equally strong. For us, the project became a milestone – not only because of the spectacular images, but because of the experience of successfully implementing a project of this magnitude.
“This project shows very well how we work,” says Bollig. “Thinking creatively, planning big, and then bringing the many individual components together in such a way that something is created that truly moves people.”
More Than a Record
Donations
Record-Breaking Since Always
Professionals
Today, more than ten years later, the world’s largest soapbox is long part of our history. But its significance for us extends far beyond the entry in the Guinness Book – because the project exemplifies our aspiration to turn extraordinary ideas into reality: with courage, organizational strength, and a clear vision for common goals.
Interested in your own event?
Our world record shows how Allgäu Events makes the impossible possible. We bring the same expertise, creativity, and precision to every client event – from concept to implementation, all from a single source. Let’s create your perfect event highlight together!
