PRESS RELEASE                                                                             March 10, 2010

Organizers of the annual Smiths Falls NAPA AUTO PARTS GRAVITY GRAND PRIX, held each year in July are busy putting the final details on this years event.

Race Director Marshall Cubitt and local NAPA dealer Steve Wintle have also begun to look at introducing a new and exciting program for local and area special needs children.

The Canadian Super Kids Program which began in Peterborough in 2008 provides special needs kids between 7 and 18 an opportunity to participate in soap box derby racing. In the past special needs kids could only sit on the sidelines watching other kids having fun racing down a hill but this new program removes the barriers once placed in front of these children.

The Canadian Super Kids Program is modeled after the National Super Kids in the United States, which was created by a Vietnam war veteran who felt that children who were physically or developmentally challenged should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of soap box derby racing. 

The opportunity for Smiths Falls and its involvement in the Canadian Super Kids Program is huge. Now special needs children can feel the wind on their faces and the thrill of the hill. The program features custom 2 seater cars, in which the Super Kid rides with a co-pilot, who is an experienced soap box derby racer. By trying to bring the program to the community, Marshall and Steve hope to be able to have a local child qualify to attend the National Super Kids Classic in Akron Ohio. This event is part of the All American Soap Box Derby World Championship Race Week, and a local child could  well experience the thrill of a life time as they race for memories in front of thousands of cheering derby fans.

Last year Kegan Lessard of Peterborough Ontario became the first International and Canadian to participate in the National Super Kids Classic. Program Co-ordinator  Sherry Lessard-Hayes is hoping to see not only a rep from Peterborough but also others from Smiths Falls and other Ontario communities competing in Akron this year.

Although competitive, the atmosphere around a Super Kids event is far more relaxed and laid back. All the same its great to see the smiles on the faces of the kids. One can almost hear them saying,” Look mom, I’m a soap box derby racer”.

A final date for the Smiths Falls Canadian Super Kid race is not set, but the division will be part of the 2010 NAPA Auto Parts Gravity Grand Prix, July the 18th.