Slow ride: strong turnout for Hanmer soap box derby

Some of the racers needed a push, but there were plenty of smiles on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Hanmer at the inaugural Greater Sudbury Impact 6/21 Memorial Soap Box Derby.

The event took place along the part of MR80 where, in 2009, three teens – Caitlin Jelley, Steven Phillipe and Jazmine Houle – lost their lives at the hands of a drunk driver. Derby organizer Leanne Lavoie said one of the goals was reclaim a stretch of road so heavily associated with sadness.

"This area has, for far too long, been stained with tears,” Lavoie said. “It's been six years now that you drive by this location on Father's Day weekend and you can't help but remember the tragedy.

"This is our opportunity, one, to bring laughter back to this area that's marred with sadness. And two, to teach our youngest kids -- before they're even driving -- about the importance of making good and smart decisions behind the wheel."

Turnout was twice what she had expected, with 41 youngsters showing up for a shot at soap box glory. While it will be a few years before any of them drive, Lavoie said it's never too early to teach them about the responsibility they take when they get behind the wheel.

"We have an opportunity to change the mindset of this generation, so in the next generation, we won't have to suffer a tragedy like this," she said.

As for the races themselves, Lavoie said they learned a few good lessons that will come in handy next year. A shorter track, for example, will help ensure racers don't slow to a crawl before they hit the finish line.

"The wheels, too, we're going to grease them next time a week before the event, then again the morning of the derby, so that they run a little faster," she said. "We'll also probably have weights available to put in the fronts of the cars for lighter children."

There was an entry fee to participate, which, along with sponsorships, just covered the cost of putting on the event and for providing kids who otherwise couldn't afford it to enter a car to race anyway.

"We wanted to make this accessible to anybody in the community, and we do have a lot of corporate sponsors who paid for some cars, so kid who couldn't afford to enroll were still welcome to come and play today," Lavoie said.

"It's our first time running a big soap box event like this in Sudbury, so a few things were a big confusing. But the kids are having fun."

The derby was part of Impact 6/21 Memorial Weekend, held in honour of the three teens. On Sunday, Cousin Vinny’s, located in the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre, will be hosting a fundraiser brunch from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with a portion of sales being donated to the IMPACT 6/21 Foundation.

Sunday evening, starting at 8 p.m., the fourth annual IMPACT 6/21 Memorial Walk will be held at the Lion's Den Ballpark in Hanmer.

The walk will include guest speakers with inspirational messages and then everyone will proceed to the memorial site. Walkers will be escorted by Greater Sudbury Police.

For more information, visit www.impact621.org.