THUNDER BAY – Juliet Elliott won’t get her driver’s license for at least another four years.
But that didn’t stop the 12-year-old from racing down one of the city’s fastest hills on Saturday.
Juliet was one of about 30 participants in the 12th annual George Jeffrey Children’s Centre Foundation’s Soapbox Races, where young speed demons took the wheel of the gravity propelled vehicles down Waverley hill.
“I love going down the hill but I feel awesome being able to help out George Jeffrey’s because it’s a great organization,” she said after one of her races.
This is the fourth year Juliet has participated in the soapbox races and the event has embraced by her whole family with her father helping build her car.
She was hooked immediately after her first trip down the hill.
“I did have a lot of butterflies in my stomach but after I got down I was very happy and I wanted to go again right away,” she said.
Juliet said the key to being successful is keeping the car as straight as possible on the way down.
The event is a fundraiser for the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre Foundation, which executive director Mary Anne Comuzzi said raised $33,000 this year.
“We get a lot of pledges through the drivers and they’ve been wonderful at raising funds for us,” she said.
The thrill of the event has become alluring for many children and families, who look forward to the event every year.
“We have lots of kids who come back on an annual basis and it’s starting to expand,” she said. “We have probably between 31 and 35 drivers so we’re creeping up every year.”
Logistics for the event are organized by the Superior North Association of Professional Paramedics, who also provide on-site support.
SNAPP lead Ryan Ross said safety for all participants is of utmost importance. There are 30 paramedics volunteering at the event able to lend assistance, as well as an ambulance at the bottom of the hill.
“You’re about as safe as you’re going to be doing this. Everybody wears a helmet and the cars are inspected,” he said.
