Soap box derby offers good, clean fun

Gretchen Hoffman

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- The Kiwanis Club of La Canada is calling all

racers for the third annual Los Angeles Foothills Soap Box Derby on May

27.

The all-day event, which is open to children 9 to 16, will be held on

“Michigan Hill” on Foothill Boulevard between Daleridge and Viro roads in

La Canada Flintridge.

“It’s the best hill that we could find,” said Sharon Benoit, a

spokeswoman for the event. “It goes straight down.”

“All a kid needs is a hill, a car and gravity -- the wind takes them

down the hill,” she added. “There are brakes but there is no motor.”

They expect to have more than 50 children in this year’s derby, Benoit

said. The field is limited to 65, and registration is on a first-come,

first-served basis. It’s traditionally a competitive race, with girls

racing boys in their same weight class, she said.

Racers can purchase soap box derby car kits, and cars must be

constructed by the driver, although many kits require help from parents,

Benoit said.

“This is an all-American event,” Benoit added. “Kids from all over the

country are doing this now. The entire family gets to participate.”

Sport Chalet, 920 Foothill Blvd., in La Canada Flintridge, will host

two free car building clinics for kids and parents assembling a car from

a race-sanctioned kit. The clinics will be from 1 to 4 p.m. May 5 and 9

a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18.

All cars will be checked by race officials on May 26 to make sure that

they are safe and that they meet construction standards.

HOW TO ENTER

WHAT: Third annual Los Angeles Foothills Soap Box Derby, open to

children ages 9-16.

WHEN: 7:30 a.m. May 27.

WHERE: Foothill Boulevard between Daleridge and Viro roads in La

Canada Flintridge.

COST: $35 entry fee. All entries must be received by May 22.

INFO: Call 790-9901 or visit www.earthoasis.com/derby/. Applications

can be picked up at Sport Chalet, 920 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada

Flintridge.