INNISFAIL – The morning of July 27 began with gloomy skies and weather but sunshine ultimately burst through the gloom with a record-setting day at the fourth annual Innisfail Soap Box Derby.
This year at Innisfail’s Cemetery Hill there was a record number of gravity-powered racers, volunteers, and new speed records set back and forth between three young competitors.
The event, created by the Innisfail Lions Club, attracted a record 62 racers in several age groups, and more than 30 volunteers, which was a welcome record for the service group.
“We had a very good number of volunteers this year for the first time,” said Tom Reinhart of the Lions club, whose service group was supported by the Innisfail Kinsmen, Kinette Club of Innisfail, Innisfail Citizens on Patrol, and the Rotary Club of Innisfail that had the honour of cooking up more than 200 hamburgers for racers and event attendees.
“The volunteers that were there made it go way better and much easier for our two or three people who were left on their own in the past as the Lions club has had a difficult time fielding able bodied people to help out,” added Reinhart. “All those volunteers made a whale of a difference.”
The event had a 9 a.m. start time under grey skies but by 11 a.m. the sun began to shine. It was a sign for young racers it would be a day to remember.
In the six-to-eight age group there was plenty to celebrate as a trio of gravity-powered speed records were set.
The previous record was set last year when a youngster zoomed down Cemetery Hill at 23 kilometres an hour (km/h).
But the Hill and Feduniw families were determined to smash it.
Cale Feduniw’s eight-year-old twin sons Brody and Lucas, appearing in their second Innisfail Soap Box Derby, were challenged by six-year-old Sylas Hill.
Innisfail senior peace officer Derek Radatzke recorded each race with a radar gun.
Lucas was the first to break the record with a new top speed of 26 km/h.
Then it was young Sylas Hill breaking that with a ride of 27 km/h.
Lucas’ twin brother Brody then took his turn to set an event record by zooming down the hill at 28 km/h.
And dad was mighty proud.
"Everyone is pretty excited. The boys are excited to come next year to try and set some new records," said Cale, who praised the event for giving “connection and learning” between the kids and their parents. “It gives us time to be together and build something and yes, the educational component is awesome.
“They have a lot of pride after seeing how fast their cart went,” he added. “I think it is amazing, a great community event.”
