The action got underway at around 1:00 pm as parents and children started to trickle in and the teams getting themselves and their soap box cars ready. Photo: VINO

The long awaited Soap Box Derby finally became a reality on Sunday October 19, 2014 with scores of attendees mostly families coming out to enjoy a fun-filled day of racing along the promenade of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay. Photo: VINO

This contraption called T-Rex was one of the fastest cars of the day. Photo: VINO

The car belonging to the BVI Health Services Authority. Photo: VINO

Another of the beautiful soap box cars. Photo: VINO

Representative of the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA was in attendance for the specific reason of being dunked into the dunking pool. But he left some hours later as he had to be present at another engagement and that part of the programme had not started. Photo: VINO

One of the vehicles on display. Photo: VINO

The crowd was sizeable as families came out. Photo: VINO

The car belonging to M.A.L.E. Photo: VINO

M.A.L.E.'s car had a minor spill but the driver was okay. Photo: VINO

One of the cars coming down the stretch. Photo: VINO

The derby was sponsored by Caribbean Insurers Limited (CIL) and was the brainchild of Director Simone T. Monsanto (right), who almost singlehandedly worked to put the event together and get additional sponsors on board. Photo: VINO

Winners receiving their trophies. Photo: Buddha Mather

Winners being presented their trophy at the end of the day's activities. Photo: Buddha Mather

A winning driver holds proudly his trophy. Photo: Buddha Mather

This one takes the chequered flag! Photo: VINO

Another group of winners. Photo: Buddha Mather

This young driver awaits her chance to get behind the wheel. Photo: VINO

Team BVI Pride going down the track. Photo: VINO

This car's design did not allow it to go very fast or far. Photo: VINO

This young lady is trying to make the most of the momentum gained from the launch ramp. Photo: VINO

This is a girl's car. Notice the colour and livery. Photo: VINO

The entry from the Enis Adams Primary School was one of the fastest of the day. It had a minor accident that necessitated some repairs. Photo: VINO

The derby was mainly sponsored by Caribbean Insurers Limited (CIL) and was the brainchild of Director Simone T. Monsanto, who almost singlehandedly worked to put the event together and get additional sponsors on board.

The action got underway at around 1:00 pm as parents and children started to trickle in and the teams getting themselves and their soap box cars ready.

The cars began to do their trial runs against the clock to see which one of them would be fastest in the real competition.

Some of them were indeed quite fast, while some of them by way of their design were not. At least one car was said to be too large for the ramp used to propel the cars forward using gravity.

There were a few spills as is common in such events and some of the cars got damaged due to crashes. However aside from some scrapes and bruises the day was not disastrous. Most of the crashed cars were repaired and made ready for action again.

It was a day that was quite lively and entertaining, not only because of the exciting and colourful soap box cars, but also because of the music in attendance, food and drink, face painting and bouncy castles for the children and good clean wholesome fun for all.

There was also a waterslide extravaganza as part of the fun activities.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the new Peebles Hospital as the Government continues to reach out to the public for donations to bring the facility to a state of completion.

Among the participants were the Althea Scatliffe Primary School, the Enis Adams Primary School, the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School, Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (M.A.L.E.), along with schools on the Sister Islands of Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, the BVI Health Services Authority and many others.

Representative of the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA was in attendance for the specific reason of being dunked into the dunking pool. But he left some hours later as he had to be present at another engagement and that part of the programme had not started.

A sponsor of one of the cars, Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Education and Culture, was present for a while. Former legislator Eileene L. Parsons was present for most of the day taking in the activities. Parsons in a comment lauded the idea that the proceeds will be donated to the new hospital and said that everyone whether BVIslander or otherwise should contribute to the hospital.

Speaking to this news site, Monsanto said that CIL will match whatever would have been collected from the gate and donate it to the Peebles Hospital. She said that the official handing over will be done at a presentation ceremony in the not too distant future. She would not disclose the amount that was collected at the gate.

According to Monsanto, she hopes to make the event an annual one though not likely to be held around this time next year. She said that just after the summer is preferable. The last time the derby was held was in 2008.

Soap Box Derby Prizes

Fastest Soap Box
1st Place – Althea Scatliffe
2nd Place – BB Road Runners

Best Paint Job
1st Place -$200 – M.A.L.E
2nd Place – Hummer

Best Ragga
1st Place – Alexandrina Maduro
2nd Place – Jost Van dyke

Best Soap Box Team
1st Place - $100 – Bregado Flax
2nd Place – Rio3

Best Graphix
1st Place - $100 – Hummer
2nd Place – SpeedShop 007

Best of Show
1st Place - $200 – SpeedShop 007
2nd Place - Thing1