If you’ve got the need for speed in your bones, the Moose Jaw Soap Box Derby has just the thing for you: its annual race day is a chance at a downhill rush for victory.
Heather Carle, organizer from the Moose Jaw Soap Box Racing Association (MJSBRA) and long-time soap box racing expert, is looking forward to the excitement of race day on Aug. 18.
The Soap Box Derby features a full day of races. Beginning with a safety run-through and explanation of the rules at 9 a.m., racers then draw to determine who races whom in the two-car showdowns.
Junior racers, ages seven to 11, run the hill in a wood or fiberglass type car, sitting upright and leaning forward for momentum. Senior racers, usually aged 12 to 15, race in a laydown style car, also made of fiberglass.
Carle estimates there are about 25 racers pledged to take a run at one of the Top 16 trophies the event has up for grabs, from Moose Jaw, Regina, and even Swift Current.
Among those prizes, the MJSBRA has also got a few more creative awards to give out, such as the Grease Monkey Award, for the racer who put the most hard work into their car.
The MJSBRA has been around since the late 1980s, making this the 32nd year that racers and their soap box cars have gathered in Moose Jaw to test their builds.
Each car is unique to its racer, whether in construction, paintwork, or decals, and racers are responsible for taking care of their own car. It’s an authentic race day atmosphere: right down to the safety checks, pit crews, and potential car sponsorship.
The rush of the ride is the best part for Josh Overby, who’s in his first year of racing. (supplied)There are plans to fix it up and give it a new paint job — probably blue, Jo and Josh were thinking — and get Josh working on it himself, with donated time from the shop.
Josh got into soap box racing because of his grandpa, and he’s looking forward to his first derby coming up.
“It's exciting and very fun,” said Josh, who’s favourite part is definitely the quick trip down the hill.
A soapbox car can reach between 40 km/h and 50 km/h on its downhill course, depending on the weight of the car and racer, but Carle assures parents that it's completely safe.
Soap box racing is a unique sport in that it openly welcomes the entire family to get involved — kids, parents, siblings, whoever wants to join the team — and Jo finds it's a great way to spend time together.
For anyone feeling interested in getting involved with the MJSBRA or racing in the derby, they are encouraged to contact Heather Carle at (306) 690-8300 or by emailing her at [email protected].
Or, just come down to Alder Ave. and Hall St. on Aug. 18 to see the races, and maybe sit in a car to try it out — Carle says that’s sometimes all it takes to hook you.
