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Jamie O’Brien of South Canterbury Hydraulics in action during the corporate category of the Soap Box Derby in Timaru last year.
After years of work the organisers of Timaru’s Alpine Energy Soap Box Derby will finally be able to give the people what they have been asking for – a bigger and better course.
The event was brought back in 2017 for the first time in many years, and then had a break for two years because of Covid-19. Last year saw an estimated 1000 people line Timaru’s George St to witness the event.
Organiser Richard Brown said the new course for 2023 will be a throwback to the original Soap Box Derby course, which will see push-cart racers fly down Stafford St from the Theatre Royal and end at Cains Tce.
AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/Stuff
Alpine Energy Soap Box Derby organiser Richard Brown said the new course for 2023 will be a throwback to the original Soap Box Derby course from the 80s and the 90s.
“We were working on that for a few years and now, we’ve finally been able to make the course like it was in the 80s and the 90s,” Brown said.
“It’s going to be longer, steeper and harder than before. The competitors wanted the course to change, and they wanted it bigger and better, so we listened to them.”
Brown said competitors did not need to change their carts for a few races on the new course but would have to make changes if they want the carts to survive the entire day. The usual compliance rules for the carts remain.
“The first year, competitors made the carts look pretty, the second year, carts were faster and the year after that we added in the jumps and the carts were faster, and we had to keep up.
AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/Stuff
Last year’s event saw an estimated 1000 people line up on Timaru’s George St to witness the event.
“This is just going to make life different again for the competitors. The new course is a lot faster and there will be less braking as the finish line will go up Cains Tce.
“But we’re going to make sure the course is not too fast for the kids.”
All-in-all, Brown said the event will largely remain the same but just with a different course, a better finish line, and they also plan to add in more obstacles.
“We had the first event in 2017. It was just a group of friends who liked the event and brought it back. We loved the entertainment and Alpine Energy got onboard as well.
AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/Stuff
Adele Neale, of Ram Page, high-fives the crowd after finishing her race during the corporate category of the Soap Box Derby in Timaru in 2022.
“We try to make the event bigger and better every year, and we listen to the feedback we get.
“We would love to see everyone come and support the free and fun event for families.”
The categories remain the same for the event – juniors, the Todd Mudie class, open class and corporate class.
Brown said the funds raised at the event will go back into the community.
Registrations are open for the 2023 Alpine Energy Soap Box Derby via the website, with the event to be held on Sunday, October 29.
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