Knysna will be pumping in May – in particular the annual Knysna Speed Festival 2012 will be bringing the roar of expensive and powerful racing cars to the pretty village of Knysna. And the lagoon will be throbbing to the roar of exotic sports cars.

In the midst of all the sounds of angry cars and petrol powered super cars – there will be an event without any engine noise – the Knysna Soap Box Derby. But what the event lacks in respect to engine noise – it more than makes up in terms of excitement and enthusiasm.

You do not want to miss the Knysna Soap Box Derby on Wednesday 16th May and Thursday 17th May when contestants will compete on the same track that will be used for the Hillclimb. This event promises to be a lot of fun with local schools competing for top honours. The Corporate Soap Box Race will see companies tackling competitors in a unique and fun manner. These races are always exciting and the enthusiasm of competitors results in some nail biting racing.

The races are open to a maximum of 40 competitors per day. The Thursday event is a keenly fought race between local schools of Knysna and schools from the rest of South Africa. The schools event is broken into two events – a primary school and a high school challenge. There will be a practice session on the hill in the morning in which up to 4 members per team can compete and set their best times. The teams will select their best driver for the afternoon knock out sessions. During the afternoon sessions the best drivers for the day will be selected until the final race between the top 4 drivers.

There will be prizes for the best decorated car as well as trophies for the top Primary and High School drivers.

The corporate race on Wednesday the 16th will have a similar format to the school’ challenge – and the best drivers of the morning session will compete in the afternoon. There will also be an independent challenge for individuals who wish to enter the open session. Corporates who sponsor or buy a soap box will be able to offer these cars to a school for the schools race.

Car kits will be available from Pennypinchers in Knysna and a Build Day will take place on the 12th of May at Pennypinchers in the Industrial area of Knysna. Here all competitors will have the opportunity of getting help to build their cars. There will be prizes for the best decorated cars for both the schools and corporate days.

There will also be specific corporate challenges within the corporate event and Huizemark, for example, will be running a challenge for the Fastest Estate Agent in Knysna. There will possibly be a builder’s challenge as well.

C.J. Ballan Attorneys will be sponsoring a number of trophies.

For more information on the Soap Box Derby – contact Anton Heymann at anton@speedfestival.co.za or on mobile at 082 074 6352.

Further information and entry forms can be found on the festival’s website www.speedfestival.co.za.

Bookings and entry forms are available on the website.