The Brantford and District Labour Council (BDLC) hosted its 68th annual Soapbox Derby on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Over 30 participants, ages five to 12-years-old, came out to be a part of the end of summer race down the Icomm Drive hill.
While several participants were sporting brand new soapbox cars built over the course of the last year, many were riding in cars handed down and made-over through the generations.
Ken Mercer Jr., father of first time participant, seven-year-old James Mercer, said his son was racing with one of his former childhood soapbox cars.
“This is actually a hand-me-down car that my dad made back when my brother and I raced in the derby,” he said. “We gave it a new paint job and tried a couple of new things for it this year, but I think we could do some more research and development for next year.”
Although James, a third generation derby racer, didn’t end up placing this year, his father said that having his son finally participate in the race was an exciting moment.
“My dad used to race down the Market Street Hill back in the 60’s and I think the first time I got on the trophy was around 1992, so having him in this is awesome,” he said. “I actually built a ramp for him to practice on and so I think he ended up having a great time. The point of all of this is to have fun, right? If you win, that’s great, but if you’re not having fun then what’s the point in being here?”
Regardless of the outcome, participants were all smiles as they lined up behind the ramp, raced down the hill and collected their toonie reward at the finish line before heading back up for another turn.
Eight-year-old Kinslee Carson, who placed fourth with her dad’s childhood soapbox car in 2023, said that herself and her father started building her and her little brother’s brand new cars shortly after the race, and that she was hoping to place again this year.
“I’m trying!” she said after her second turn down the track. “I think it’s been pretty fun, I was a bit scared at first but now, not really.”
The year-long project paid off in the end as four trophies were awarded to the youngsters with first place going to Mason Barker, second place to Kinslee, third place to her little brother, Jacob Carson, and fourth place to Lucas Barker.
On top of her second place win, local car club the Piston Pushers, awarded both Kinslee and Lucas Rampersad, 12, with a trophy each for appearance and originality.
In the end, Cory Judson, President of the BDLC, thanked the crowd and the participants for another great year in the books.
“I just want to thank everybody for making their way out to this tremendous event in Brantford. This is a day where, across this great country of ours, we honour and celebrate the working people that get out there everyday to provide for their families,” he said. “In some communities they do a picnic, in others they do a parade, but here in Brantford, we do a soapbox derby. For 68 years this tradition has been going strong in the community and it’s because of all of you who come out; those of you that work with your grandkids and children to build a soapbox cars over the summer, those of you who come out to enjoy a hot dog and the race, and those great kids who get up on that ramp and down that hill to compete. Thank you to all of you.”
