The “cars” are built from kits that allow the racers to build for speed and have wiggle room for creativity. Prizes won’t just go to the fastest cars, but also to the most creative cars. (Supplied / Hub City Soap Box Derby)

The Hub City Soap Box Derby prepares for its 5th annual race, rallying the community once again to help Nanaimo’s non-profit child development centre, this Saturday August 15th.

The derby is a competition and fundraiser, where youths race down a steep hill in non-motorized cars, gaining speed while avoiding obstacles. The “cars” are built from kits that allow the racers to build for speed and have wiggle room for creativity. Prizes won’t just go to the fastest cars, but also to the most creative cars.

Jason Clayton, is the event coordinator for the derby. He commented on what attendees can expect the day of the event and the story behind the creation of the derby.

“So overall, you're going to see if you come out on August 15th, upwards of 60 racers between the ages of six and 60 racing down Wall Street here in Nanaimo side-by-side racing.”

Clayton explained the event originated from a connection through work, Stu Hopewell, which led to working on a previous event known as the Great Pumpkin Toss. Their idea evolved into the current derby with the goal of supporting the local CDC with fundraisers.

He commented on the behind the scenes work that led to the organization of the event.

Attendees at the 2025 Hub City Soap Box Derby. (Supplied / Hub City Soap Box Derby)

“What we wanted to do is we wanted to find another way to raise money for the CDC. Stu, actually, as a kid growing up here in Nanaimo, and his. Utilize the services of the CDC, so it was kind of a natural progression for Stu and me working with Stu at the time to say, you know, what can we do more for this organization because of that personal connection that Stu had with the CDC,” said Clayton.

The derby has moved around Nanaimo for the last few years, finding its current home on Wall Street next to Bowen Park in 2025. Clayton explains, the new location adds the ‘perfect gradient’ of hill for the derby. He adds that safety precautions are still taken in the race with the new car kits, which contain a chassis, steering column, braking system and the wheels.

Clayton added, previous year’s car kits had a few issues with the brake systems, since they were operating off a handle break system that locked a single wheel which could lead to accidents. The derby now is working with a local business for its kits, which has yielded great results with participants using the same kit even after the race is done.

He explained further the safety precautions that go in effect the day of the race.

“When kids and big kids arrive on the day of, they make their way over to the registration tent where they're checked in, and then there is a safety inspection that is conducted on the kits,” said Clayton. “So, you know, it's one thing to build the kits; it's the other thing to make sure that everything is in good working order. And Alan and Quinton from Vice are the two gentlemen that are actually going to be doing those safety checks because, of course, they know what to look for. These are the guys that manufacture the kits.”

Beyond speed, creativity is key to the event as well.

Clayton said that last year’s entries included 3D printed cars brought by a family from the Lower Mainland, including one designed as a giant Croc. He adds that racers have incorporated characters such as the recognizable DC hero Batman, bubbles and sounds into their cars, with racers also decorating their helmets to match.

The derby is a known partner and contributor of Nanaimo's Child Development Centre (CDC), a local organization that supports the growth of children and youth while strengthening the families and building communities.

Clayton explained the event fosters support for the CDC through different methods, naming sponsors and kits.

“Sponsorship. So we have gold, silver, and bronze sponsorship. Gold starts at $5000,” said Clayton. “So that's kind of category one. Category two is we charge for registration into the race. So racers pay to enter in our stock division. They actually get a kit which they build with you know mom and dad or grandma and grandpa or friends and family. And then the third category is from our concession and our day of sales. So we were selling hot dogs, and we also have a bunch of other local organizations and businesses that come out.”

Clayton said that last year’s entries included 3D printed cars brought by a family from the Lower Mainland, including one designed as a giant Croc. (Supplied / Hub City Soap Box Derby)

Kimberlee Howland, the resource development coordinator at the CDC says the event makes an impact on the organization and its efforts.

“Fundraised dollars support every department within our center, so we get to really help advance the development of children and families, as well as not just in the therapies, but we also have a community drop-in play group, which services the whole community from Ladysmith to Lantzville, and we do parent programs, peer-to-peer groups for parents,” said Howland. “So there's a lot of different variety of stuff that we use fundraise dollars for, and at times it's for replacing of therapy equipment that is needed, but we're really proud of the fact that every dollar that we raise is spread out between all of the therapies, and so reaches children and families in many ways.”

The CDC works with families to try and help them through physical, occupational or speech therapy. Additionally, the organization acts as a resource guidance centre, helping parents with questions, support in learning or connecting them with other fellow parents.

Howland went into detail about the derby’s collaboration with the organization.

“Their participation in the event helps raise the fundraising goals that the Soapbox Derby has. They also get to help raise awareness about the CDC because they learn a little bit about what the CDC is about and what they do. We just love the fact that kids get to participate and that there's a kid basis to this because we are all about the children and families. And so for some of the racers, it's fun to watch the fact that they have a child racing and an adult racing.”

Howland reiterated the organization’s gratitude to the third party fundraisers that help the Centre. The sponsors and fundraisers help the organization meet their goals, alongside with the help from the volunteers.

2026’s Soap Box Derby hits the streets this Saturday August 15th, on Wall Street, where participants can find food and entertainment in support of Nanaimo’s CDC.

Further information on the derby is available at their official website.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

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