Competing In the Soap Box Derby Nationals 2013

On a beautiful sunny day I went to an annual event called Soap Box Derby nationals. This event was held in Whangaparaoa Brightside Road on April the 7th 2013.

Soap Box Derby nationals was for the top 24 drivers in New Zealand and I was one of them. This opportunity was awesome as I got a chance to compete for the big prize to go to Akron Ohio USA (United States Of America). How could you win the prize? Well I'll tell you, obviously you had to come first.

Before any races started we had to do a parade. While i was walking in the parade I felt shy because the entire crowd was watching me.

After the parade finished I got ready for my first race against a driver from Whangaparaoa. “READY! SET! GO!”, the race officials screamed loudly. When I was racing down the steep hill it felt like the trolley was going at the speed of lightning. Also I was driving near the barriers so that the trolley would go even faster.

As soon as I came to the curve that’s when trouble started. I almost hit the barriers and the crowed took a deep breath and shouted “OOOMMMGGG”. 

But then I did a sudden  movement which made me turn to the opposite side next to the centre line and almost crossing it which I didn’t want to do because if I did then I would of got disqualified. After all that chaos I got back on track and came first.After finishing my race I waited for my second. This time I didn't win. 

Later that day I went and checked the notice board to see if I got through to the top 16 drivers. Unfortunately I didn’t make it through and got eliminated.

Competing in the Soap Box Derby nationals was a great experience. Thanks to Mrs & Mr Jacobsen for all your help and support getting me to the nationals. Also thank you for giving me the opportunity to be the driver for Pt England School. Thanks girls in the pit crew Puwai, Ana and Khaia for supporting me too. You girls are the best crew in Pt. England. Lastly thank you to my beautiful mum Wylma my aunties Sandy, Stephanie and Missy, my uncles Peter and El- Shadan also to my cousins Faith, Jordan, Kingston, Juliana, Kristopher, Elijah, Liam and Khaia's whole family for coming to Whangaparoa to cheer me on.