The Eastern Suburbs and New Zealand Finals of the Soapbox Derby, run by the Rotary Club of Auckland East, culminated on the second day with the winner qualifying for a trip to Akron, Ohio, USA, for the world championships.
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| Opening parade complete with Brass band. |
This Rotary driven project is to encourage primary schools to enter a team to compete in a soap box derby. Each team comprises of a number of children who build the race car, thus learning how to use basic tools, how to read plans and assembly instructions, how to work as a team and how to solve problems.
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| The course from the starting gate |
The local and subsequent New Zealand Final events were well supported with over 20 schools involved within the Rotary districts. Participating schools included those new to the event and the competitive nature of the racing ensured a healthy rivalry, with approximately 50 races run over two days. A couple of sponsorship adult carts allowed some special guest runs and drivers included: a Rotary president, a local councillor, a GSE participant from the Yukon and a uniformed police constable. Virtually all event support staff, (approximately 50) were in Rotary shirts caps for the two days.
Pictures courtesy of the Rotary Club of Auckland East - go to their Facebook page for more: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Auckland-East-Rotary/108550902498374
