| u’re looking to introduce your child to a | | | | pedal car and soapbox racing can be great to |
| world of excitement, consider pedal car or | | | | prepare your child for other types of racing in the |
| soapbox racing. Both involve the construction of a | | | | future. |
| small car, powered either by pedals or by gravity. | | | | Many children have a lot of fun racing their |
| If you choose pedal car racing, your child will pedal | | | | miniature car. Many cars are designed with sleek |
| the car down the raceway. If you choose | | | | lines and detailed paint jobs, reminiscent of |
| soapbox racing, the car will coast down the track. | | | | 1950’s and 1960’s hot rods and |
| Soapbox cars are completely unpowered, relying | | | | race cars. This streamlined styling can help the car |
| on aerodynamics to propel them down the course | | | | be as fast as possible, but it is also a great |
| using gravity. Modern cars can reach speeds of | | | | stylistic choice. You can paint your car in any |
| over 30 miles per hour as they speed down the | | | | color, although classic candy or pearl colors remain |
| hill. With soapbox cars, one of the main design | | | | the most popular. Bright primary colors have long |
| considerations is that the car is lightweight with a | | | | been a favorite for pedal car and soapbox racing. |
| streamlined design. | | | | If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your |
| Pedal cars have a set of pedals for your child to | | | | own custom race car, give your child a chance by |
| propel the car. These are typically raced by | | | | building a car for pedal car or soapbox racing. You |
| younger racers, and do not reach the same | | | | can purchase them pre-built, or buy a kit for the |
| speeds as soapbox cars. Pedal car tracks do not | | | | fun of doing it yourself. Although there are some |
| typically involve the steep hills used to start a | | | | specifications for the design of the car, many |
| soapbox derby race. In both types of races, your | | | | aspects are left open to you, making the cars as |
| child is responsible for steering the car down the | | | | varied as the people who design and build them. |
| course. If you are considering involving your child | | | | You can even involve your children in the building |
| in soap box derbies, consider a pedal car to teach | | | | process; this can be a great parent-child bonding |
| your young child the skills for soapbox racing. Both | | | | experience. |