Tech Ex - Friday
Meet the students, see the sleds up close, and explore the STEM side of this uniquely Canadian competition before the toboggans hit the slopes on Race Day.
Industry & Networking: Engineering firms from across the country will be on site with sponsor booths, meeting students, discussing their work, and actively recruiting for future roles. Networking is open to everyone, including students who are not competing. Check out our home page for more information on who will be in attendance! |
Race Day - Saturday
Race Day Events:
See the full GNCTR 2026 Spectators Guide in the next section The Drag Race A straight-line test of speed and braking. Toboggans race downhill to post the fastest time while maintaining full control of their sled and coming to a controlled stop past the finish line. Teams are scored on both run time and braking distance, with the shortest stopping distance earning top marks. The Giant Slalom A test of steering precision and control. Teams navigate a 26-foot-wide slalom course with multiple levels of gates. Teams can choose wider, more challenging lines through the gates to earn higher scores, making this event a true test of handling, driver skill, and steering design. The King of the Hill Tournament The fan-favourite event of the day. Teams that successfully complete earlier events advance to a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament, racing directly against one another. Winners advance, losers are eliminated, until one team is crowned King of the Hill, the fastest concrete toboggan of the day. How It’s Scored Race Day contributes significantly to each team’s overall competition score, with points awarded for speed, steering, braking, and successful completion of runs. Safety and rule compliance are strictly enforced. King of the Hill is a standalone Race Day title and one of the most prestigious awards of the competition. What to Expect as a Spectator? Expect tight turns, dramatic finishes, cheering teams, crashes, recoveries, costumes, school spirit, and real engineering in action. With a DJ, announcers, and teams lining the hill, Race Day feels less like a traditional competition and more like a high-energy winter sporting event. Race Day is free and family-friendly, making it a fun, exciting, and uniquely Canadian winter outing for all ages. Spectators are encouraged to dress warmly and arrive early to catch all the action. Spectators Guide |
The Schedule
|
The City:
Welcome to London, Ontario, affectionately known as Canada’s Forest City. Nestled in the heart of Southern Ontario's snow belt, our city boasts a rich history intertwined with the tradition of tobogganing. From its early settlement in the 19th century to the present day, London has embraced the thrill of tobogganing, with wooden ramps once commonplace around our streets. One iconic feature of our tobogganing heritage was the 485-foot-long double chute, located in the heart of downtown (this is real, look it up).
While our city may lack the majestic ocean views and towering mountains, we offer something truly unique: a vibrant and thriving student downtown core filled with activity and excitement. Our bustling streets, lined with charming cafes, cozy storefronts, and lively entertainment venues, serve as the heartbeat of London's cultural scene. To top it off, we have a ski hill right in the city, adding valuable hours of sleep to the race day experience. London locals can tell you it's also famous for its summertime residents, the Canadian Goose. Dressed up in Western wear, our logo characterizes the city of London, embracing its infamous wildlife while infusing a bit of playful charm and personality. Our Organizing Committee is excited to revive our city's tobogganing heritage by hosting the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race in London in 2026. We can't wait to see you there! |
The Venues:
|
