Lack of interest is forcing Parry Sound to shut down its annual Soap Box Derby this weekend.
The race was meant to return for its second run on Saturday, but Community Recreation Programs Co-ordinator Brad Weiler says they just couldn’t seem to get the locals rallied.
“Registrations were just down, we had eight racers ready to go,” says Weiler. “It’s really unfortunate for the kids that built cars this year, just because they went through all the effort to design and race these cars.”
Weiler says they tried to keep soap box racer design expectations low, but it’s possible the preparation work necessary was a bit too much.
“We keep the regulations open-ended to keep the event accessible to everyone,” says Weiler. “They don’t have to go out and buy a several-hundred-dollar soap box derby kit, they can just make it with the materials they have around the house.”
Weiler hopes to revive interest in the race next year.