Soap Box Derby (Canada Day)

Check out the Soap Box Derby Video
(Video by Don Joyce)

Tamworth Annual 2025 Soap Box Derby Summary

Here we are after another wonderfully exciting Soap Box Derby! I‘m sure everyone had a great time! That morning after 4 AM the rain stopped, the sun came up, and although humid, the weather of the day was great. A bit warm, but great! One could say, it was a peach of a day! It was a great day for a Soap Box Derby!

In the morning, with the help of many volunteers, we got the race course and the set up ready with: moving tires, putting up road barriers and signs; installing and levelling the starting ramps; doing the road centre line chalk line; putting up the traffic cones; putting together the registration tables, chairs and canopy; hoisting the FINISH banner and pennants, etc. All carts were inspected to ensure they were safe to race. Many, many thanks to all who helped and volunteered!! It takes many of us to do this! It takes a community. Thank you!!! The morning started out with many excited racers arriving!

Around 10:30 we began with announcements and thanks and, finally had some practice runs for the young ones and novice racers who never raced in a Soap Box Derby. Finally, about 11:20 the races began. This year we had a record of 53 drivers finishing the races. A couple volunteers did head counts of spectators, and we figure there were over 300 cheering fans present. Parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, neighbours, derby race fans and generally curious public, here for the festivities of Canada Day, who enthusiastically all cheered on the drivers. It was a great day indeed!

The drivers in the Junior Division (6 to 10 years) and the Intermediate Division (11 to 15 years) all had three heats down the long 270 foot hill. Each racer in each heat is timed, by timers at the bottom of the hill, at the Finish line. Their times are radioed up to the ladies at the top of the hill at the registration / administration tables. For each driver their times were totalled then averaged to determine the top three in those divisions, who are later presented with a trophy. The older division get two heats which are averaged, and the top two receive a trophy.

We also had a trophy for the ‘Best Decorated Cart’ and new this year, a trophy for the ‘Most Patriotic Cart’. Again, this year we had the Brian Weese Memorial trophy for the youth who showed the most spirit and enthusiasm in the races. This year we had an anonymous person who donated the money, for every youth racer to receive a bronze Soap Box Derby medal, with our new Tamworth Soap Box Derby logo on it. Plus, we had a second anonymous person donate funds for ten envelopes of money to be awarded to five random times of youth in each of the two younger divisions.

A big Thank You to all participants, racers, parents, volunteers, helpers, organizers, donors, sponsors, the township roads personnel, all residents living along Bridge Street West, and all those who cheered on the ‘nerves of steel’ racers!!! We hope everyone made positive memories at this year’s derby!! THANK YOU!!!! Hope to see you in 2026!

Results of the 2025 Tamworth Soap Box Derby

Junior Division – Age 6 to 10 years

WINNER: Odin ……….Yellow Coupe Cart

SECOND: Cage ………White Canada Cart

THIRD: Jack ………….Cedar Strip Canoe Cart

Intermediate Division – Age 11 to 15 years

WINNER: Malaki …….Loaner Cart

SECOND: George …..Cedar Strip Canoe Cart

THIRD: Ayden ……….Loaner Cart

Older Division – Age 16+ years

WINNER: Garrett …….Loaner Cart

SECOND: Shawna …..Yellow School Bus Cart