Some people say that Portland is going downhill fast. The people of the PDX Adult Soap Box Derby take that sentiment and roll with it.

At the 2016 race Saturday, Aug. 20, the same irreverent style that has made adult soap box an institution in Portland for nearly 20 years was on full display. Racers rocketed down Mount Tabor in homemade gravity cars more outlandish than a Mardis Gras parade float.

A "Jurassic Park" jeep with a posse of roving dinosaurs. An oversized dragster, appropriately named "Spoiler Alert." A green, pixelated covered wagon from the Oregon Trail computer game. A giant rolling replica of Slinky the dog from "Toy Story."

It would appear there are no limits when Portland's garage engineers are on the case. Nearly 50 cars raced this year, each one the result of much creativity, deliberation and hand-dirtying work - and perhaps a few beers.

As the brushy sidelines of Mt. Tabor Park filled in with spectators secretly hoping for a crash, each three-car heat was announced by hoots and hollers from farther up the track.

The race's judges were looking for speed, pageantry and engineering. But all it took for the crowd's appreciation was a spirited sprint to the finish line. Because even if a car didn't finish first, or second, or third, it probably managed to land itself in everyone's mental folder labeled "Ideas for next year."

--Dillon Pilorget | dpilorget@oregonian.com

503-294-5927 | @dillonpilorget