Whanganui Soapbox Derby: Hundreds line streets as racers hit speeds of 54km/h

Stock cars pile up as they hit the "wall of death". Photo / L Whitt Photography

There were crashes aplenty at Whanganui’s Soapbox Derby as people of all ages flew down Drews Ave.

Part of Whanganui Vintage Weekend, the event ran for most of the day on Monday.

Drivers began at Queens Park, navigating the “wall of death” on the Drews Ave/Watt St junction, before heading down the Drews Ave hill towards the Whanganui River.

Organiser Brad Fitness said there were 80 competitors, with people travelling from Wellington, New Plymouth and Palmerston North.

“On top of that, we had have-a-go carts for the first time,” he said.

“People could come and experience it for themselves. Adults had a go, all the way down to young kids.”

The "wall of death" claims another victim. Photo / L Whitt Photography

Fitness said the youngest competitor, 3-year-old Piper Logue, went down with her dad but she controlled the steering and braking.

Auckland’s Neal McCarthy, 81, was the oldest racer.

The Flying Monk, previously known as the Flying Nun, won the fastest time, reaching 54km/h.

One driver sustained a broken arm during a crash, Fitness said.

“He had to go [to hospital], obviously, but he came back in time for the prizegiving to accept the ‘best roll’ award.

“There were a couple of accidents but everybody wears helmets and the mini stock cars have roll cages.”

Competitors ranged from 3 to 81 years old. Photo / L Whitt Photography

Australia’s Tim “Caveman” Barrot was MC for the day, a role he also fills at the NZ Jetsprint Championship at Shelter View, near Whanganui.

Fitness told the Chronicle last month his goal was to make the derby “bigger and better“ to rival the country’s major derby, the Trolley Grand Prix in Auckland.

He said this week the Whanganui event would return in 2027.

“It’s crazy but it’s entertaining.”

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.