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| Soap box derby stars shine in Oshawa |
| August 26, 2009 |
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| Oshawa Express carrier Jason Clark, 13, gets
ready to race at the 9th Annual Soapbox Derby, which was put on by the Motor City Car Club and the Lions Club of North Oshawa. |
By Lindsey Cole The Oshawa Express Jack Harrison remembers pushing his team’s soap box car, the Milky Way, with a broom stick handle. His teammates would steer with ropes as the car sped down the hill on Wood Street. It was 1946, and it was the first soap box derby here in Oshawa. Harrison tells his story to around 50 kids at the 9th Annual Soap Box Derby as they anxiously await their chance to race down the Bond Street hill. The derby, which is put on by the Lions Club of North Oshawa and the Motor City Car Club is a part of Autofest, which kicks off this weekend in the city.“1946 was a long time ago,” says Harrison with a laugh as he holds a plaque of a paper clipping where he and his two teammates won best design at their derby. “It was a privilege today, that they asked me to do this (grand marshal),” he says. As he raises the black and white chequered flag the kids look on and wait for their chance to potentially win a prize. For Oshawa Express carriers Marshall Schrader, 10, and Jason Clark, 13, it was a chance to try soap box racing in general. Clark couldn’t wait to feel the speed. Schrader was excited to drive fast. The race was on. As Schrader’s car was hoisted up on the ramp, his competitor for the first heat, nine-year-old Justin Graziano was ready to roll. He had prepared for Saturday’s race the night before.“It was good,” Graziano says of his preparations.“I did a wheelie.” Then the flag lowers and the wheels begin to roll. The sound of the wheels against the hard pavement echoes through the crowd. Both seem to be neck and neck until Justin pulls slightly ahead winning the race. While these guys were first-time participants, Makayla Ellis and Makenna Laughlin were almost considered veterans of soap box racing. Coming all the way from Peterborough, these two girls were excited to compete. It is Ellis’ fourth year racing, she says, and Laughlin’s third time down a soap box hill.“The best part is beating the guys because they cry,” Ellis says with a big smile.“Our record is 65 km/h. It’s intense.” Ellis rides in a pink car called Sweet Emotion, while Laughlin rides in a white and black car with Sylvester and Tweety on it. These soap boxes and the friendly competitive attitude are exactly what the derby is all about, says Gary Challice, president of the Motor City Car Club.“This is about the kids, lets not lose sight of that. Let’s have some fun,” he tells the crowd as Mayor John Gray pulls up in his flashy orange Oshawa-made Camaro.“Welcome competitors,” Mayor Gray says with a big smile. |
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“When you get that sensation
of four wheels under you,
that love of four wheels will
grow. Spread your love for the
sport on. Soapboxes have
come a long way. It brings
back memories.”
And for the kids at this
derby, the day was all about
making memories. |
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600 Thornton Rd. S., Oshawa, Ontario L1J 6W7
©2008 Dowellman Publishing Corp, All Rights Reserved
©2008 Dowellman Publishing Corp, All Rights Reserved
