Windsor-Essex Soapbox Derby Association wants to include races for adults
After two years of organizing soapbox races for kids, the Windsor-Essex Soapbox Derby Association is ramping up efforts to host soapbox races for adults.
Scott Windram, who founded the non-profit organization in 2022, said soapbox racing gained popularity in the early 1950s but declined in interest in the early 2000s.
"Our goal is to bring this back, work with kids in STEM, and just have fun," said Windram, during the soapbox derby races at the Belle River Sunsplash festival on Sunday.
Scott Windram founded the Windsor-Essex Soapbox Derby Association in 2022. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)
"We're definitely getting them off the computers, out of the house, and into the garage where they are working with their hands."
Each race organized by the Windsor-Essex Soapbox Derby Association attracts about 15 to 20 participants between the ages of five and 16.
"Our daily races start with practice and qualifying races. We take a short break for lunch, then commence with racing and hold award ceremonies afterward," said Windham.
"We're actually working on a framework to bring adult racing into this as well. For a lot of us who have kids racing, we have built our own cars — myself included."
While some participants bring soapbox cars they have made at home, others can purchase a car kit from WESDA "where they just assemble them if their parents are not as handy."
"But we find a lot of people are finding them on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace," said Windram.
Lacey Keith attended Sunday's races at the Belle River Sunsplash with her family. She said the first WESDA race they attended was in Harrow back in June 2023.
"My dad built a car out of plywood and loose stuff he found. We raced, and the kids loved it," said Keith, who has two sons and a daughter. "Two weeks later, he built another car, and both my boys have been racing here for the last year."
Soapbox derby cars are shown during a racing event at the Belle River Sunsplash festival on July 14, 2024 (Source: Belle River Sunsplash Festival)
While Keith's father handles the design work, her two sons help assemble the soapbox cars.
"Every race, my dad tweaks each car. He'll add weight, change the wheels, get new tires, or add extra air to them. He's made them more aerodynamic over the last year by adding extra panels to the side," said Keith.
"My kids have Mario and Luigi cars, and my daughter wants a Princess Peach cart. So, next year, we'll make her one."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Veteran journalist and TV host Phil Donahue dies at 88: reports
Phil Donahue, who changed the face of U.S. daytime television with a long-running syndicated talk show that highlighted topical and often provocative social and political issues, has died at age 88, NBC's 'Today' show reported on Monday, citing a statement from his family.
Canadian among 6 missing after superyacht sinks in storm off Sicily; 1 dead
One man died and six people were missing, including a Canadian, after a luxury yacht was struck by an unexpectedly violent storm and sank off the Sicilian capital Palermo on Monday, the Italian coast guard said.
General Motors lays off over 1,000 salaried software, services employees
General Motors said Monday it is laying off more than 1,000 salaried employees at its software and service units worldwide.
Hurricane Ernesto expected to bring big waves, heavy rain to Newfoundland
An Environment Canada meteorologist says Newfoundland is expected to see big waves and downpours starting today as Hurricane Ernesto makes its way through the region.
What a family lawyer says you should know before getting divorced
Sometimes, despite couples' best efforts to stay together, marriages come to an end far earlier than either party hoped or predicted. Here is some advice from Barry Nussbaum, a family lawyer who has counselled countless couples, about the details you don't want to neglect when getting divorced.
DEVELOPING Ukrainian officials order mandatory evacuation from Pokrovsk for families with children
Ukrainian local authorities on Monday ordered families with children to urgently evacuate the eastern city of Pokrovsk.
Days after wildfire evacuation ends, Jasper makes progress on path back to normal
The people of Jasper are making progress on getting back to normal after being allowed back to their town, cleaning their homes, re-uniting with neighbours and seeking insurance information.
Investigators looking for long-missing Michigan woman find human remains on husband's property
Investigators have discovered human remains during a search of property in southeastern Michigan that belongs to a man whose wife disappeared more than three years ago and is presumed dead.
Young people flaunt their used stuff as 'underconsumption' goes viral
Young people on social media are showing off their 12-year-old water bottles, sweaters from high school with patched holes and dish rags made from cut up old T-shirts.