Dashing down the hill

Alder Avenue was closed all day Sunday to keep vehicles out of the way for some major soapbox racing.
The Queen City and District Soapbox Racing Club of Moose Jaw held its 22nd annual soapbox derby.
Children from all over the province, along with a couple from Manitoba, took part. Most were from Swift Current. There was also a couple from Saskatoon and Regina, as well as Hanley and other small towns. Moose Jaw was represented by five racers.
The kids were split into two groups, junior racers and senior racers.
The juniors are up to 12 years old. The seniors are from 13 to 15 years.
The length of the racetrack was two blocks long and it was a straight line.
"This is my first year here," said senior racer Steven Castle from Swift Current. "I have been to three races before though."
The 13-year-old is excited he is eligible to race for two more years. He said his car is actually getting too small for him.
"My shoulders do not fit," Castle said laughing. "Its hard to crouch down. Hopefully, I will be getting a bigger car."
Castle recently raced in Saskatoon and made it to the finals. In that final, he lost out by a couple of seconds.
"My dad changed my wheels and oiled them down this time," he said. "I hope it works so maybe I can win this race."
One of the junior racers was from Winnipeg.
Brendan Kropla has been racing since he was eight years old. Now that he is 12, next year he will be moving on to the senior races.
"This is my year," said Kropla. "I am the oldest (in the junior class), so I have an advantage."

Robyn Pearce can be reached at 691-1255.