Brantford Soap Box Derby marks 70th anniversary with special tribute

A Labour Day tradition in Brantford marked a major milestone, as the city’s annual soap box derby celebrated 70 years of racing, with this year featuring a special tribute.

The Brantford and District Labour Council’s Annual Soapbox Derby saw 39 young racers take their turn down Elgin Street in a Labour Day tradition 70 years in the making.

Each racer gets at least two chances down the hill with the winners of each heat advancing until there’s one left.

Special care was taken to ensure their safety, because when you’re racing downhill, not every run goes exactly as planned.

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When things go sideways, the priority is making sure the racer is okay, before it’s back to the track, with maybe a little strategy.

For Kinslee Carson, it’s working out pretty well.

“I think I’m doing pretty well,” said Carson. “I’m pretty proud of myself so far, honestly.”

This is her fifth year racing, and her dad Michael, who raced in the derby himself in the late 90s, and helped build her car.

“The very first year that she raced, she actually did it on the old carts that my brother and I raced on,” said Michael.

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The vehicles have no engine, no gas pedal, and once the racers leave the starting ramp, there’s no extra power to help them out.

It’s gravity, a good set of wheels and a driver willing to hang on for the ride.

Whatever you call it — a soapbox car, a gravity racer, a cart or a buggy — the mission is clear.

“It’s winning!,” says Carter Gilchrist, another racer in the derby.

But the organizers say here everyone gets something for crossing the finish line.

“Everyone’s a winner,” said Don Guest, president of the Brantford and District Labour Council. “Everyone got a T-shirt, everyone got a medal — everyone got a toonie for each run down the road, they got a goodie bag and the experience of a lifetime.”

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This year, the 70th running also carries a special dedication — the derby is being held in memory of long-time volunteer and union activist Bob Sardinski, who died last year.

“We just need to recognize Bob and all the work that he did,” said Guest. “He was a long-time union activist and he was the guy at the bottom of the hill — he kept us all organized.”

Sardinski’s family came out to watch the tradition continue, and his granddaughter Jessica Goodall said she knows exactly what he’d be saying.

“Let’s get on with racing — let’s have a good time and may the best soap derby car win!,” said Goodall.

The racers may be the ones crossing the finish line on Monday, but there’s one familiar face still watching over the course — a standee of Sardinski watches each racer as they pass.

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