Box Car Derby roars into the future

KNYSNA NEWS - Fraaisig Primary School emerged as the overall winners of the Knysna Lions Club's inaugural Box Car Derby, held in Knysna Industrial.

Seven other schools took part in the highly successful event - Knysna Primary, Knysna Education Centre, Trinity School, Thembelitsha Primary, Concordia Primary, Sunridge Primary and Hornlee Primary.

Thirty-six eager Grade 7 learners from the schools, who formed into teams, lined up to experience the thrill of driving the box cars in Boswerker Street on Monday 28 April.

The seven box cars used were expertly made by Hope Cabinetry, which forms part of the Hands and Heart Skills Development Centre in Knysna Industrial.

'Joy to behold'

According to Knysna Lions, this was the inaugural event of what promises to become a feature on the calendars of local young children.

"The interest shown by all participants and the smiles on the faces of the drivers as they crossed the finish line was a joy to behold," the organisation said.

Team strategy at the derby.

"The Lions are working towards two important objectives, namely the development of community spirit and meeting the never-ending need for fundraising to address social concerns, and the event highlighted the vast potential for meeting both objectives."

It said the club worked very closely with all authorities involved to obtain the necessary permit to hold the derby, as well as all the businesses along the route to ensure that they would not need access to their premises on the day of the event when the road was closed.

Youth for Christ was responsible for liaising with the schools, ensuring that the participants arrived at the registration desk ahead of the start.

The box cars were expertly made by Hope Cabinetry.

Students of Hope Cabinetry also under-took the important physical work of setting out the track and enthusiastically acted as marshals.

'Encouraging feature'

"We look forward to building on the success of the day in years to come. An encouraging feature of this inaugural event was the goodwill of people involved," the Lions said.

The safety barrier at the track was made with scrap tyres.