Redmond Soap Box Derby: It’s all downhill (fun)

“It wears you out,” Redmond Soap Box Derby racer Wade Sadler said Sunday.

There’s a moment of anticipation, then a burst — and then, they’re out of sight!

As a Soap Box Derby race spectator, watching young family members speed down the hill, with gravity in control, you’re balancing two emotions.

“At first you’re nervous, and then you’re really excited,” Nita Sadler said.

For this family, it’s a multi-generational pastime. “It’s a fun family-oriented sport,” Nita said.

Sadler travels all around with her family to participate in her grandchildren’s Soap Box Derby races. It started with her husband finding the sport in 1953. Now he builds soap boxes with his son, for his grandchildren.

“She said, ‘Oh, Grandpa! I’d like to do it!’ So he checked into it and got her started,” Nita said.

Participants’ ages range from 7 to 21. Soap box racing is unlike almost any sport — there’s no practicing.

“You don’t practice, you just do it,” Wade said.

Streets have to be blocked off for it to be safe to speed in those race cars. At nearly 900 feet long, the course in Redmond wouldn’t be possible without blocking off traffic.

Nita’s granddaughter, Michaela, hopes to become a NASCAR driver. At 15, she has a few more years to soap box race. As a “master driver,” she has some skill. On Saturday, Michaela took first place.

Nerve-wracking might be the best way to describe this sport. After all, drivers are laying down, with little eyesight.

“And it’s scary — I mean, I’m hoping that she can see — and be able to stop,” Nita said.

If you want to give this a try, lay down, and steer right.

And visit http://www.soapboxderby.org/ to learn all about it.