UNB’s 49th Annual Mechanical Engineering Coaster Derby: History, Importance, and What’s New

Sunday, October 26, 2025, marked the 49th Annual Coaster Derby organized by UNB’s Mechanical Engineering Society. Multiple teams from the across Atlantic region participate, all of whom enter their own gravity-powered cars to hurtle down UNB’s Mackay Drive. According to records from previous years, the derby carts can achieve speeds ranging from 60-90km/hr. 

 

Founded during Engineering Week of 1975, the derby has given:

 

“students to test their theories and knowledge of the applied science and witchcraft.”  

 

Marissa Thebeau, the Second-Year Representative for the Mechanical Engineering Society, was one of many students who facilitated the event this year. She explained that many students woke up as early as 4:00am to help set up for the event. 

 

She also mentioned that this year’s derby included some new features. For example, she mentioned that the local Green Food truck, which offers a variety of street foods such as burgers, poutines, and hotdogs, parked near the quad so observers could enjoy a hot meal while watching the race.

 

Thebeau explained that the event is not merely a fun tradition, but also plays an important academic role in the MES society: 

 

“The derby offers students a way to apply their learning in a way that’s fun and engaging.” 

 

Engineering student Max Doyle noted that:

 

“The cars were really cool…it’s really impressive that people built those and it was a great time.”

 

Originally held on Fridays, the derby switched to weekends in the early 1990s to mitigate traffic-related risks. 

 

There were several mishaps and injuries during past competitions. Apart from several crashes, one competitor was run over by a car, although he was not seriously injured. As a result, the derby now has stricter safety requirements to prevent incidents like this from reccuring, including barricading Mackay Drive to ensure no cars interfere with the races. 

 

Today, the event is one of the more high-impact traditions on campus. 

 

It’s safe to say that UNB’s 49th Annual Coaster Derby set the bar high in terms of great food, learning opportunities, and action. The UNB student body will surely be looking forward to what the MES society puts together for the 50th Coaster Derby next year.