News of The Abacos

Third Annual Big Hill Box Car Derby
By Stephanie Humblestone

The Bobsled Association of the Bahamas held Hope Town's Third Annual Big Hill Soap Box Derby on December 28 on Elbow Cay. The event beginning at 10 a.m. was attended by a record crowd and lasted well into the afternoon.

Participants came mainly from Elbow Cay, many familiar with the competition, having taken part both last year and the year before. "Go Andrew," "Come On TC" rang out from the crowds as children from Hope Town careered down the 700 foot hill in home made box cars. "Full marks for creativity," said one spectator as one innovative model followed another.

The vehicles varied as much in size as colour and design and bore such unusual names as Silver Wings and Mermobile.
The event was divided into two classes, under 14s and adult with general requirements being the same for both. Helmets were mandatory, and gravity powered machines only were admissible, each with a towing eye, steering means and optional brakes. Children were required to be seated at all times and their carts had to be a minimum of 75 percent wood construction with a ground clearance of eight inches maximum. Adult machines had to have a minimum of three wheels and could be constructed of any material with no restriction on size and shape.

Crowds flocked the newly cleared roadside of the Centreline Road; many had reserved spaces the day before with chairs, others carried seats with them. Families picnicked, friends renewed old acquaintances and under one of the bluest skies this season everyone had fun.

Cries of "Clear the track!" were heard repeatedly throughout the day as the box carts gathered speed down the steep hill. "Next year we should have roped areas," observed one man as a boxcar threatened to veer off into the crowds. Fortunately, the onlookers were as alert as the drivers and the emergency Fire and Rescue truck with its volunteer medical corps was not called on to assist. Food and soft drink stands were set up along the way and were a welcome sight to many spectators who came early in the day and stayed for all the races.

After the final event, the long awaited drawing of the Abaco Rage raffle took place, the proceeds of which went towards the maintenance of the famous work boat which raced to victory in the recent All Abaco Regatta. Apart from the obvious fun aspect, the box car race was originally intended to raise funds for upgrading the local ball field, Taylor Park, in Hope Town.

Over the past two years those funds have been well used and can be evidenced by the improvements which have been made by volunteer labour. The playing field has been widened, the parking lot enlarged and the road crossing the field re-routed. When the field is re-surfaced, the fence, purchased by Local Government, will be fully installed. This year's proceeds are planned to be used for the re-surfacing and planting of grass.