Feeling the speed and heart-pounding excitement as carts scream downhill—it is time once again for Powell River’s Soap Box Derby.
The free derby is a well-loved institution among all ages of local residents, running almost every year since 1947 on the last weekend in May and organized by the Kiwanis Club.
“It’s gravity and some wheels,” said Don Allen, a new Kiwanis member. “You don’t need an electronic device of any sort, you don’t need batteries. Just hop in and go.
“It’s funny [the Kiwanis has] become synonymous with the derby,” he said. “It’s our way of giving something to the community and the kids.”
A first-time organizer of the event, at 61 years of age, Allen said he’s also looking forward to his first ride down the hill, joking, “I do believe going down the hill is a requirement of the job.”
A trio of schoolchildren from James Thomson Elementary are also first-time riders, racing in carts they built themselves as a reward for completing schoolwork in Melvin Mitchell’s woodworking program.
“I love to go down the hill as fast as I can and catch the wind,” said Swayne Courdi, 11.
Although derby winners can take home prizes and the famed Alsgard Trophy—named after Al Alsgard, former Powell River newspaperman—the students say winning is not their concern.
“Adults want to win and crash into each other,” said Teagan Holland, 10. “I just hope I can go as fast as I can and not bail.”
Showing how brakes were designed differently on each cart, either as a drop-arm brake under the cart or a hockey stick brake parallel to the rear axel, Teagan said he and his friends also learned trust and teamwork.
“We all help each other put these brakes on in class so everyone knows how to do it and we can trust each other,” he said, explaining how they may be called on to help fix each others’ carts between heats on race day.
“Everything you do is to make your car more aerodynamic,” said Teagan, who installed a front-mounted, foot-operated brake pedal on his cart.
According to specifications outlined in the Powell River Soapbox Derby Manual, carts can measure 26 inches wide and 54 inches from nose to the centre of the back axel, at maximum. Specifications also call for four-wheel carts with steering and braking systems, as well as the use of three-quarter inch plywood, not particle board.
Carts can get up to brisk speeds on the hill, so participants must wear a “properly fitted helmet” such as a bicycle, motorcycle, football or hockey helmet.
Whether or not adults are too competitive, these children agreed that some adults take the derby too seriously.
Bill Hopkins, a derby emcee and full-grown adult, said the community support for the derby is tremendous.
Originally the race ran pell-mell, without brakes, down Westview Avenue to the beach. Now racers run a 200-metre, tire-lined stretch of Lois Street in Wildwood, coming to a controlled stop—no fish tails or spins allowed—in front of St. Gerard’s Church.
“It’s a fun day and all the neighbours enjoy it,” said Jim Massullo, a 40-year resident on Lois, who has used his quad to help tow carts up into position.
“The kids take it serious, some cry if they don’t win,” he said, recalling he’s seen more than one child upset while explaining to his or her parents about what went wrong in the race.
“They use a starting ramp and get up to a pretty good speed,” Massullo said, laughing that, although racers often go faster than the posted school zone speed limit of 30 kilometres an hour, no one gets a ticket.
Two-time winner Electra Atkinson, currently in grade seven, has been clocked at speeds over 40 kilometres per hour.
“Racing is exciting and scary at the same time,” said Electra, explaining her strategy is to hold off on the brakes until the very last second.
She hopes her cart, a silver homemade model she calls “the Electra-bolt,” will be racing ready this Sunday.
After losing last year in the final heat, she said she’s going to have to think of a new strategy. However, despite loving to win Electra said she knows, “It’s not about winning, it’s about having fun.”
Everyone is welcome to take part at the derby even if they do not have their own cart. Kiwanis Club has several freely available for registered participants.
The Soap Box Derby is a free weekend-long event, beginning on Saturday May 30, with track set-up and unofficial practice runs from noon. Sunday race day begins with a pancake breakfast at 8 am and official racing at 11 am. Hot dogs, by donation, will be served from noon.
All participants must register and children are required to have signed permission from a parent or guardian. For more information, on registration or race guidelines, readers can email [email protected]. People wishing to volunteer at the event can also send an email to the organizers.
Safe racing rules
1. Gravity is the only form of motive power.
2. Absolutely no head-first carts.
3. Drivers must wear a properly fitted helmet.
4. Knee and elbow pads are recommended.
5. No open-toed shoes or flip-flops.
6. All carts must have working brake and steering systems.
7. All carts must pass pre-race and inter-race inspection.
8. Contact with race vehicles outside your lane may result in disqualification.
9. Carts must stop in a straight line—no fish-tails or spins.
10. Competitors must apply brakes as soon as possible after crossing finish line.
