Sat. and Sun. were the last races for the Columbia River Soap Box Derby Association. This organization started in 1997 in a small community near Portland, Oregon and moved to Hood River, Oregon in 2002. The families that made up this organization all lived in towns essentially boardering the Columbia River.
Over the years we have hosted racers from five states, including a couple that brought their cars down from Alaska as checked baggage and re-built them in Jeff's garage. We enjoyed great community support but, unfortunately, a decline in numbers and so supported other organizations with our equipment, association cars, and left over money.
Here is the view of Mount Hood that we had when leaving the track Sunday night:
Perhaps this will be a larger picture:
We went "Out with a Bang." In some of the pictures you will note the lime green shirts. Every two-day racer received a free special race shirt and reduced entry fee. We also had a free barbecue Saturday night for all racers, helpers, and families.
Saturday started out with a bit of "Oregon Sunshine" during registration and weigh-ins.
We had 42 cars on Saturday and 41 on Sunday. With our support from the Hood River Lions the eight association cars driven by local kids all received free entry. Our SS field on Sat. had 22 cars. This is a driver's track - both drivers have to gout hard to the curb at the start.
While Saturday was wet to start and cloudy for the day, the racers had a great time.
After the race, AA Regional Director Wes Foster and helpers manned the grill.
The sun came out for some young racer "chalk talk" and parent chatting time during the barbecue and the evening warmed up for the day's trophy presentation afterwards.
We gave out trophies to the top eight and each racer received a special soap box derby medal.
Sunday morning at 7:00. The track (notice the curve - this is taken 1/3 from the top. You can not see the lane 1 car as it crosses the finish line) was set up by 8:30 and we were racing by 10:00.
Wes is enjoying the morning sun and his coffee as he quickly weighed in everyone Sunday morning. The pits are emptying quick as the cars were moved to the top of the track.
Not the greatest pictures but I was a bit busy working duirng the weekend to take many.
It has been a great ride with the CRSBDA and we have one World Rally Champion and other national placers in our racing family. Most importantly, we had a tremendous number of fantastic kids, families, and racing friends from other supportive organizations that allowed us to run many fun and enjoyable races. We worked together to make it happen for the kids and will continue our involvement with other organizations to keep the racing going.
Here is our fearless leader for the past six years, Jeff McCaw, giving out the last of the derby stuff from our storage shed.
David,
Sound like you guys had a good run and did a great job of running races. Hate to see any organization go away but there is always a need for NEW BLOOD to step up and help make it go. Not easy anymore as you well know.
I can see by your pictures - Driving is REALLY BIG here.
Thanks for sharing !
Roger Van Waart