When Hello Kitty’s racer faces off against the Batmobile this Sunday, speed will triumph at last.
But looks are also a winner at St. Albert’s third annual father’s day soapbox derby.
“Last year we had a girl who turned her car into a flower pot and she had flowers coming out of the top of it,” said race manager Cheryl MacKenzie.
“You name it, you are going to see it.”
Eighty cars are participating in this year’s event. That’s fewer than a year previous but MacKenzie said people probably don’t trust the weather as much.
MacKenzie, who is also executive director for the Spirit of St. Albert Society (SOSA) that organizes the event, said it takes between 15 and 20 hours to build a car.
In comparison, each race lasts about 12 seconds but cars can speed up to 23 kilometres an hour.
“That’s a lot of speed for a six-year-old,” she said.
To participate, racers had to purchase a base kit for the soapboxes and adhere to certain safety requirements (have a seatbelt, wear a helmet, and pass a safety inspection).
After that, creativity has no boundaries – from Disney movie designs, to fire trucks and Boston Bruins racers.
“I think the dads do more of the builds but when I talk to the kids about the designs they got their design all sorted out,” said MacKenzie.
“They know exactly what they want and how they are going to paint it.”
Racers will hit their marks Sunday at noon at the hill on St. Vital Avenue. Races are split between age groups and will last until about 5:30 p.m. in the afternoon. Top scorers will receive a trophy donated by sponsoring group Rock’n August.
The public is highly encouraged to come out and watch.
