Comments on: Red Bull Soapbox Derby Rocked!

By: dwayne ballantyne

dwayne ballantyne — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:25:18 +0000

What in the wide,wide world of sports is a going on here??? it looks as though i might be too late–but i was on the premise that the soap box race was meant for the kids…and now i find that ,i use the term loosely,ADULTS have taken over!WOW U guys….i originally looked here to see ’bout building a car for my 2 boys….& now it’s being CANCELLED??…way to go people!!
i live in the eastside & am thinking of starting
a race for the kids in the eastside ……….
your interest in this would be appreciated so yoo can reach me at dwayne.ballantyne@hotmail.com

By: jj

jj — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:08:24 +0000

I just want to say I was part of the derby, and I’m not imature nor have the IQ of a 3 year old. I just wanted to do something with friends that brought us together and made us smile. If you hated the race so much, why have you invested so much time into dwelling about that Sunday so long ago… ? What, the date found you boring and stood you up? Try this, take one hand and place it on one side of your mouth and your other hand on the opposite. NOW PULL! if that doesn’t hurt to much you got yourself a smile! WOW good luck with that. For a 40+ hippy from kits… you’ve seriously have let me down.

By: Bill Barilko

Bill Barilko — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:34:09 +0000

Well I did have a date-we cycled up to 37th/ across to Marine Drive/around UBC onto Spanish Banks for a light picnic & a swim/some shopping on Broadway/home for dinner then onto Kits Point to watch the sun go down over Vancouver Island.

100% by bike-not watching other people do something but doing it with someone.

Having lived in Kits since the 70s I know how to get the best out of the ‘hood, and what happened Sunday on 4th could have been in Surrey or Prince George-bland/homogenised/slickly packaged and altogether unremarkable.

Of course it appeals to some people-those individuals of little imagination/taste who need some corporation to organise their so-called lives.

By: Alexis

Alexis — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:35:58 +0000

Ben, you are really fun! Your arguement cracks me up. ET? Fresh Prince of Bel Air? What does that have to do with being outdoors, engaging in conversation with your neighbours, admiring the creativity of others and just plain being entertained..oh right.. that is how you spend your Friday nights watching TV!

Oh and I guess you didn’t have a date for Sunday night hence the reason you came out to the races. You certainly observed the crowd so intently… probably cracked a smile or two, but don’t worry your secret is safe with me, I won’t tell Red Bull;)

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:15:54 +0000

Great retort – no Alexis, my standards for fun are a bit higher than “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” re-runs re-enacted on 4th. There were a lot of curious by-standers on 4th but I didn’t see a lot of interest (unless you worked for Red Bull) which perhaps, Alexis, you do. But I know I’m in the minority which explains why shows like “Entertainment Tonight” are so popular – but if I had a date Sunday afternoon and she suggested THAT for something to do – well…it speaks volumes ….

By: Alexis

Alexis — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:38:55 +0000

Ben, you say you are all for fun?? Geez, I can only imagine what a Friday night with you would be..in bed asleep by 8pm?

Thanks to all you party poopers for staying home, those of us that went had a great time!

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:03:07 +0000

Silly me, stealing an event from children is good fun! How could I have thought otherwise. Red Bull-Red China (oh how we treat children differently). If that was fun, then your requirements for being entertained hasn’t evolved much from Fisher-Price blocks. I’m all for fun, but the only thing missing from that display was Motley Crue’s Tommy-Lee and his “titty-cam” Yawn!

By: Larry Yatkowsky

Larry Yatkowsky — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:23:44 +0000

Wait! Do I see people standing 10 deep having a good time cheering and applauding while bathing in wrinkle maker sunshine?

What’s the difference between watching adults make asses of themselves in a soap-box race or reading the first two comments?

Silly me – it’s the sunshine. :>)

By: Mitch

Mitch — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:46:50 +0000

In regards to the Red bull Soapbox Derby – it was fun, pure and simple, goofy fun. It’s comments like those above that lend Vancouver to have it’s No Fun reputation.

I’ve seen this race in Australia, as well as other Red bull events, and they are meant to be amusing, fun, goofy, and for neighbourhoods to have a party.

This was the first year for the Soapbox Derby race by Red Bull, and I think it was great. I hope they work out the wrinkles for next year and I look forward to seeing it then too!

By: Bill Barilko

Bill Barilko — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:49:06 +0000

It’s true that kids were elbowed out of the event-the sponsor claimed to have nothing to do with the original long running race, very very poor form on their part, an outright lie in fact.

In my part of the neighbourhood the organising itself went smoothly enough but overall an abysmal product sponsoring a pointless exercise in watching adults act like they were juveniles jacked up on a tacky energy drink.

I feel sorry for people who actually left their own homes to watch such a tacky show, I suppose it says something about the power of promotion and the chronic emptiness of many people’s lives in today’s world.