Sunday 14 April 2013

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.

11 comments:

  1. Interesting post Stevenson.It was really fast when you were coming down the track the first time and you finished it off with a win.Well good on you for making into the nationals.Thanks

    Your Cousin Jordan

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  2. Hi Cousin Stevenson,

    I was excited that you were going to win the race even though you did not win the big prize. I hope you win next year and have a chance to go to america ;] Love from Faith and Elijah

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  3. You did brilliantly to qualify for the event Stevenson and it sounds like an exciting first run.

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    1. Thanks Mr.Marks for commenting on my blog. It was exciting when my first race started.

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  4. Hi Stevenson. BRILLIANT writing! i enjoyed this day and watching you come down that steep curvy hill omg that was frightning sitting there watching you come down praying you dont crash! almost and my heart skipped a bit!! what an experience! I loved your family and their cool signs "GO STEVENSON"! Very proud moment! well keep up the great writing and look forward to reading more!.

    from Kensi and Cree hehe xo

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    1. Thank you for commenting on my blog.

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    2. This was definitely a proud moment! You mentioned that the trolley felt like it was going at the speed of lightning, I think at that moment my heart was beating at the same pace!!
      Love you son!

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  5. how did you feel when you nearly crashed? Ari

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