Plaquemine Scouts ready for soap box racing

• By ROY PITCHFORD
• Westside bureau
• Published: Mar 30, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

PLAQUEMINE — It’s spring in Plaquemine, and time once again for young boys and their dads, elder brothers, uncles and cousins to prepare hand-crafted cars for Soap Box racing.

The 60th Cub Scout Soap Box Derby will be run April 19-20 near the Plaquemine Lock.

This will be the 60th time the gravity-powered races have been held alongside Bayou Plaquemine, though the event began in 1947. No races were held in 2005 because of construction in the area.

While races are held April 19-20, action starts a day earlier with a parade down Main Street, starting at 5:30 p.m.
When the parade ends, a beauty pageant will be held, with girls representing each Cub Scout den.

The racing cars will also be on display, and judges will choose the best-looking car. This year, there is an added honor — the People’s Choice Award.

The event, conducted by Cub Scout Packs 21 and 23 of Plaquemine, hopes to draw 50 to 60 competitors but can take as many as 64.

The original races in 1947 attracted 28 entries.

The racing format guarantees each entrant a minimum of six races.

The event is open to all Cub Scouts in the Istrouma Area Council, which takes in 13 parishes and Wilkinson County, Miss.

Each race pits two contestants in cars that glide down a 250-foot grassy road. After the first run, they switch lanes and race again. Both runs are timed for an overall winner.

Three losses eliminate racers from the competition.

Cars are more sophisticated now than in the past, and some have elaborate paint or decorations. Electronic timers have replaced finish-line judges. But it’s the same basic format as six decades ago.

The eventual winner gets the championship trophies, and there are special awards for second- through sixth-place finishers, along with best in show and sportsmanship awards. But all competitors get a commemorative shirt and a participation trophy. Last year’s champion, Bryce Rivet, will open the event with a “victory run.”