Kiwanis Kar Derby ready to roll again

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This article was published 06/04/2023 (1257 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Kiwanis Club of Brandon Kar Derby is back after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizers are thrilled to invite racers, their families, sponsors and the wider community back to the memorable event, which has been a time-honoured tradition in the Wheat City.

“It feels great, honestly, it really does,” said Kiwanis Club of Brandon president Tony Reid.

The last Kar Derby was held was in 2019, which was the 33rd consecutive event.

“It is a fundraiser that we do hand-in-hand with the community … it’s a family event that’s fun. I think it’s great, my son was in it. He’s 31 now, but he was in it back in the day,” Reid said, adding with a laugh: “I still have the ribbon.”

This year’s event is scheduled for June 3, and kits can now be purchased to get ready for the fun-filled day. The event takes place at the north end of Rideau Park at Rideau Street and Lorne Avenue.

“One thing I really like is that it’s a family event,” Reid said. “The moms and dads are right there taking pictures of their kids and helping their kids get ready to go down that hill … I wish that was around when I was a kid!”

The event is open to children between ages eight and 14. Races will happen all day, and prizes will be awarded. Trophies are presented to winners and runners-up, as well as for best design, most original and best decorated cars.

After such a long break from the event, there was some uncertainty about whether or not it was going to return.

“Not everybody was for it because it is very labour-intensive,” said Kar Derby chair Darren Wright.

Some members of the Kiwanis Club retired, while others who were involved in the event died.

“They needed a chairperson to actually bring it back — that was the first hurdle. So I volunteered my services to do that,” Wright said.

A committee was formed, many of whom were involved in the development of the Kiwanis Children’s Park near the corner of Louise Avenue and Laurence Crescent. They collaborated again to bring back this much-loved event.

“We know it’s going to be a challenge to get businesses to come back and sponsor an event, and also a lot of children that raced in it last time are too old, so we’re kind of almost starting from scratch but not entirely,” Wright said. “We want to get new racers there and maybe the younger siblings who couldn’t race last time are now old enough to give it a go.”

For safety reasons, participants must use the official derby Kar Kits, which provide wheel, axle, steering and braking mechanisms for the basic car frame. But beyond that, racers are encouraged to use their imagination.

“Everybody has to follow the rules and regulations of what type of car [you can make],” Reid said. “You can’t add heavy things in front of the car to make it go faster, the Kar has to be safe.

“They have to buy our brake system to make sure the Kar will stop when they go down that hill.”

Car kits plus one registration can be purchased from the Kiwanis Club of Brandon by individuals or by a supporting business for $200. If you already have a Kar, registration is $100.

Wright said it is a great community event, and asks the public to dust off their soap boxes and get ready to race.

“We even have some Kars we can loan if a child wants to race, but can’t build one. Local businesses also sponsor races and advertise on the Kars,” Wright said.

The Kiwanis Club would also be happy to take back and recycle any derby Kars that are no longer needed by their current owners.

The Kiwanis Club of Brandon dates back to 1919, and through its fundraising efforts provides support for local programs and projects. It recently held a grand opening for its fully accessible children’s park in Brandon’s east end, and in 2019 it gifted to Brandon the Rideau Park Pavilion for weddings, picnics and community events.

Other programs the club supports include the Brandon Fire Department, annual babysitting course, Navy Cadets, YMCA youth programs and scholarships, to name a few.

The derby is a volunteer-driven fundraiser, and organizers are seeking sponsorship from local businesses.

“All the money that we raise goes straight back into the community,” Wright said. “We want to make sure it’s an event that everybody enjoys, but also that we raise enough money to cover the costs and put back into the community.”

According to karderby.ca, the purpose of the event is for “drivers and sponsors to match their skills as Kar builders, against the skills and abilities of the other drivers. The Derby promotes craftsmanship and sportsmanship through honest competition.”

Kits and information are available by emailing karderby@kiwanisclubofbrandon.ca, or by calling Darren Wright at 204-729-7670. Visit karderby.ca for more information.

» Jillian Austin is a freelance reporter and a real estate agent with Century 21 Westman Realty.

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