National championships highlight of 2023 Albany Soapbox Club calendar

The Albany Soapbox Club will launch its new season on Sunday, having raced at Apex Drive on Mt Clarence since 1962.

The historic club offers children aged 6-17 who have a need for speed a cheap and affordable way to race.

Registration day on Sunday aims to encourage anyone interested in trying the sport to come along and learn and teach new members how to control a moving vehicle.

Soapboxes can reach speeds of up to 80km/h and are designed with safety features. Rather than a motor, soapboxes use gravity to propel themselves down the hill.

Albany Soapbox Club president Larry Puls encouraged interested people to attend the registration day.

“This Sunday, we will have a display of old and new boxes, so come along and see how we roll,” he said.

“Racing starts at 9.30am and we will be racing in tandem to teach all newcomers how it all works and to ensure we all can have fun.”

The first club race day will be held on Sunday, February 19, and the season runs until November.

The major highlight will be the 61st running of the Australian National Soapbox Championships on Saturday, April 8.

There is also the Andrew Hannig race day on August 13, the Tayissa Condren race day on October 22 and the RSL Championships on November 12.

Albany drivers will also head to Perth on September 24 for the Ross Burton Championships.

For more information call Mr Puls on 0439 395 860 or visit the club’s Facebook page.