SOAP BOX DERBY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29325, 3 October 1960, Page 15

SOAP BOX DERBY

Scouts Compete At English Park Four scout troops contested the New Zealand scouts grand prix soap box derby at English Park on Saturday. Formerly the event was a provincial one but was this year given official national status.

The entries were from Fendalton, Wigram, Bryndwr and Rangiora. Scouts from Motunau, Malvern and Darfield were forced to withdraw because of mechanical trouble. The event was divided into three sections: cubs with ages ranging from 10 to 11 years, scouts Tl to 15, and senior scouts 15 to 18. The course was quarter of a mile. The construction of the pedal driven care is controlled by rules which include the provision that the cost is not to exceed £l2 and all construction must be done by the scouts, although adult advice may be given. Scouts may buy certain parts but the emphasis is placed on the building of the car by the scouts. Different in U.S.

This soap box derby was different from those held in the United States, said Keith Mackersey. a Queen Scout of the Fendalton troop, who has recently returned from a jamboree in California. He said that faces were run down-hill with the driver merely steering down a lane. He said that care were required to have both front and rear brakes and emergency brakes locking all wheels. Brakes had to be of a cable type, but some care had hydraulic brakes. Steering was equally important and was tested before each race by an engineer. The size of the cars was controlled but they did not have to be built by the scouts who were free to plan their car and have it built professionally, he said. Sometimes the cars reach 60 m.p.h. and recently two spectators were killed when a car went out of control. Competitors and spectators were welcomed by the Provincial Scout Commissioner (Sir Joseph Ward) who started the first race. He later presented the trophies. The even distribution of the prizes was largely explained by the different gearing of the cars. The older boys were able to accelerate more quickly in the higher geared vehicles while the cubs were more successful in the lower gears. Results were:— ..Cutis.—First heat: Rangiora 1, Fendalton 2. Second heat: Bryndwr 1. Wigram 2. Final: Bryndwr (Alan Hinton) 1. Fendalton 2, Rangiora 3. Time. Imm 31.6 sec. Scouts.—First heat: Rangiora 1. Bryndwr 2. Second heat: Fendalton 1. Wigram 2. Final: Fendalton (Tom Whale) 1 Rangiora 2, Bryndwr 3. Time. Imln S.lsec. Senior scouts.—First heat: Rangiora 1. Wigram 2. Second heat: Wigram 1. Fendalton 2. Final: Rangiora (Graeme Copland) 1. Bryndwr 2, Wigram 3. Time, Imin 3.lsec. Mechanics' race: Fen dal ton 1, Wigram 2. Bryndwr 3. Relay race: Rangiora 1. Fendalton 2, Bryndwr 3. Trophies.—Grand Prix trophy (highest number of points): Bryndwr. Bryndwr Shield (behaviour ot team and car): Wigram. Cub Hub (winner of clubs’ final): Bryndwr. Pedallers' plate (winner of scout final): Fendalton. Car horn (winner of senior scouts’ final): Rangiora. Three unsuccessful attempts were made on the track record of 60 seconds, held by the Fendalton troop.