The Great Soap-Box Derby

For weeks beforehand, Boy Scouts had been hard at work designing their cars, hammering and screwing them together, testing them out on the hills, and arguing the merits of this "bomb" versus that "heap".

When the great day came, a driving southerly kept many spectators away, and slowed down the ears to much less than their top speed.

But it was an exciting day just the same. It had a spill or two, plenty of close contests, and well, it was a lot of fun, wasn't it?

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Fastest car in the race: Jim Mclean rounding the bend.

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Looking up to the starting point

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R. Allen winning the open championship

The Soap-box Derby was arranged by the East Coast Boy Scouts Association, one of the objects being to encourage boys in the development of their own ideas and initiative. Twenty-two cars were entered including one from Wairoa and one from Tokomaru Bay. The event was organised on much the same lines as those used for similar events in England and the United States.

Some of the cars competing.

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A general view looking down Barker's Hill.

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Pinex job from Wairoa.

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John Preddy.

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Keith Clare and Mangapapa Troop car with ball-bearing wheels.

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Brian Warrington and Derek Tarr.

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Chris Dacre, Wairoa.

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John Logan

The derby was in the nature of a local celebration of the opening of the world Scout jubilee jamboree in England.

It is likely, however, that it Till be staged annually in view of the great interest aroused. A leading part in the organisation was taken by Mr W. O'Connell.

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As Simon Wauchop pilots Redstone Special to finish line, car behind him crashes in ditch

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Spectators swarm to scene, but one gets bowled on the way

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Jim Devonport hauling cars to start. Other Car Club members helping were Rory Mills and Russ Wilcox

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"Spaceman" Ingoe & Noel Rutherford.

When all the excitement was over, the cars were assembled for inspection, and the prizes were presented by the District Commissioner, Mr A. Blackburn.

McLean's fastest time for the course was 47sec.

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Trophies for both senior and junior championship titles went to R. Allen (Tainui Troop).

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J. McLean (Tainui Troop), receiving trophy for the intermediate championship.

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Cup for best built car was won by J. Logan and R. Brown. (Warneford Troop).

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