Life Boys Hold Soapbox Derby In Christchurch

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31519, 6 November 1967, Page 14

Life Boys Hold Soapbox Derby In Christchurch

Christopher Pearce, of the 7th Christchurch Life Boy team, Northcote, won the grand prix at the Life Boys soapbox derby at English Park on Saturday, inches ahead of the entry from the 17th Christchurch team, Bryndwr, He covered the 880 yards in 2min sl.ssec. One hundred and fifty-four entries from Christchurch, Mid-Canterbury and North Canterbury were received for the derby, the first held in Canterbury by the Life Boys. Several entries were withdrawn because of the bad weather. In the grand prix event

each cart had eight pushers who worked in relays. The mini-prix for junior boys was with four pushers to each cart. i.

Many of the carts had been made by parents and the varied designs included mail boxes, pram bodies, chrome chairs, upholstery, carpet, and an old tractor seat. Most had steering devices controlled by two pieces of rope, but one cart had a mechanical system, with either foot or hand control. The Canterbury area supervisor of Life Boys (Mr W. R. Johns) presented prizes to the winners as follows: Mini-prix. 30th Christchurch (St Albans) 1. Ist Rangiora 2. Time: Imin 33sec. Junior Slalom.—G. Cox and N. McCarthy (26th Christchurch) 1, G. Olsen and G. Moore (7th Christchurch) 2. Time: 14sec. Open Obstacle.—A. Brown and N. Turner (32nd Christchurch) 1, A. Coombes and A. Nuttall (11th Christchurch) 2. Time: 56sec.

Best Soapbox. Gavin Clark (13th Christchurch, Riccarton).

Members of the winning grand prix team were.— Christopher Pearce (driver), Geoffrey Lilley, Keith Ridgers, Rodney Moore, Graham Moore, Brandon Hooper, Gavin Fry, Laurey Thomson and Kevin Birch. Mini Prix winners.—Grant Price (driver), Graham Allan, David Hammer, David Clardige and Peter Howell .