Activity: Go Karting - Soapbox Derby

The Soap Box Derby is a youth soapbox car racing program which has been run in the United States since 1934. World Championship finals are held each July at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. Cars competing in this and related events are unpowered, relying completely upon gravity to move.

Film references

A soap box derby forms the basic of the plot in one of my all time favourite films from my childhood, Little Rascals. Here's a brief summary of the film: 

The story begins with Spanky, who is the president of the "He-Man Woman Haters Club" with many school-aged boys from around the neighborhood as members. His best friend, Alfalfa, has been chosen as the driver for the club's prize-winning go-kart, called "The Blur", in the annual Soap Box Derby style race. Their prized go-cart "The Blur" is stolen by local neighborhood bullies Butch and Woim. How can they win the big race and its prize trophy? They band together to build "Blur 2: The Sequel." Prior to race day, Spanky and Alfalfa reconcile and decide to ride in the two-seat go-kart together.