By Robert Frank
The Laval soapbox derby association plans to hold its first race of the year in on Gouin street in Sainte Dorthée at 9:30 a.m., July 13.
They feature small homemade cars that run down a hill, relying entirely on gravity for locomotion. Top racers have attained speeds of more than 55 km/h during the under 30-second heats.
The non-profit organization Les Courses de boîtes à savon, which conducted its first race in Chomedey in 2001, tries to foster family-centered activities aimed at Laval youth.
The idea is to get kids aged 7-14 working together with their parents to build a soapbox racing car.
Information on how to participate or volunteer to help is available on Les Courses de boîtes à savon web site at: www.boiteasavonlaval.com
Emphasis is placed on making and decorating the homemade vehicles, taking part in the race and having fun, rather than on winning. All participants earn a medal and are eligible for the door prize drawing.
The organization also has a number of soap-box racers and holds a drawing to permit a few lucky youngsters to use the vehicles, free-of-charge. Enquiries can be directed to: concours@boitesasavonlaval.com
Soapbox derbies originated in the United States a century ago, and were featured in the Charlie Chaplin film Kid Auto Races at Venice in 1914. During the Great Depression, a national competition was organized in the United States, and the homegrown sport has since spread to many other countries.
There is a Canadian soapbox racing association as well as a Quebec counterpart.
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