MOOSE JAW — Alder Avenue’s gently sloped pavement once again echoed with cheers and rolling wheels as the Moose Jaw & District Soapbox Derby returned Aug. 17, drawing racers between the ages of seven and 15 for a day of competition and community spirit.
Hosted by the Moose Jaw Soapbox Derby Club, this year’s event welcomed nearly 20 competitors from Moose Jaw and Swift Current. When the dust settled, racers from Swift Current took top honours in both divisions, while Moose Jaw’s drivers proudly held their own against tough competition.
Here are the standings from this year’s derby:
Senior division results
In the senior division, Marina Buller of Swift Current raced to first place, followed by fellow Swift Current driver Slayden Hamm in second.
Moose Jaw’s Juli Finlay claimed third, while Octavia Penney finished fourth to keep the local colours strong.
Junior division results
The junior division saw another Swift Current victory, with Jaxtin Hamm taking first place ahead of Daunte Buller in second and Lincoln Jacobsen in third.
Moose Jaw’s Carson Whitfield grabbed fourth place, while Toby Wessner rounded out the top five. Local racers Izabella Carle and Alex Carle finished sixth and seventh respectively.
Other awards
Sportsmanship awards highlighted the spirit of the day, with Kyson Hardy-Wilder of Moose Jaw recognized in the senior category and Alex Carle named the junior sportsmanship winner.
The Hard Luck trophy went to Swift Current’s Levi Cyrenne, who faced challenges on the track but still crossed the finish line with determination.
Moose Jaw’s racers were well represented in both divisions, with several familiar names returning to the hill. In the senior category, Juli Finlay raced car No. 266 to a third-place finish, followed by Octavia Penney in car No. 201 and Kyson Hardy-Wilder in car No. 227.
The junior division featured a strong local showing as well, with Carson Whitfield behind the wheel of car No. 14, Izabella Carle steering car No. 219, and Alex Carle competing in car No. 213.
The event was made possible thanks to a growing number of sponsors. Trophy sponsors included Arrow Electric Co. (1977) Limited, Bob’s Auto Body & Paint Shop, Brentz Garage, Constable Automotive, Jones-Parkview Funeral Services, Kona Ice, Moose Jaw Collision Centre, Moose Jaw Glass, and Thunder Creek Coach & Carriage Ltd. Car sponsors included Bob’s Auto Body & Paint Shop, CK Transportation Ltd., and New Southern Plains Métis Local No. 160.
For many, the derby was about more than podium finishes. Nine-year-old Izabella Carle, racing in her third derby with a family car that’s been passed down since 2009, summed it up: “My favourite thing about the event is that I get to see new racers, help racers, see different people and watch people, and just be a part of it.”
To learn more about the club, message “Moose Jaw & District Soap Box Racing Club” on Facebook or email [email protected].
