History Of Soapbox Racing In Western Australia

The first Western Australian Soapbox Championship was held in Albany at Easter 1962 as an added event to entertain the crowds which flocked there for easter. The soapboxes proved so popular that a club was formed soon after, and the races were run on a regular basis. The National Championships have been run every year since 1962; the venue has always been Apex Drive Mt Clarence, which is an ideal spot for the sport, having an ideal slope with enough curves to make it interesting, and of course the scenery provides an added bonus for the spectators.

The rules and specifications decided on for the original club have not changed substancially over the years, but the design and quality of the vehicles themselves has improved to the point where over-the-finish-line speed of the fastest boxes is in excess of 80 kph. These speeds necessitate reasonably careful construction with particular attention to the steering, braking and rollbars.
In September 1968, the Albany Club decided to sponsor the formation of an Australia Soapbox Association which was brought into being at a public meeting in the Town Hall at Albany. Three clubs are operating in Western Australia at the moment, Abany, Perth and Esperance.

In 1973 Gary Brabham, son of racing driver, Jack Brabham, became the first interstate visitor. He returned in 1977 with younger brother David to compete in the National Championships. Scott McLean from Albury New South Wales was the first interstate visitor to race with his own box, and Andrew Tonkin also from Albury has been a regular competitor for the next few years.

In March 1979, members of the Albany Club travelled to Albury NSW and won the NSW titles, with Michelle Wakka first and Gregory Wakka second. In 1981 a contingent of Albany and Perth boxes raced at Bathurst. Russell Holland of the Perth Club won the Senoir Open and Michelle Wakka the Junior Open. At Albury, Russell again won the Senior Open and Michelle won the Junior and NSW Open Championship. Tracks records were set at both venues by Michelle Wakka of Albany.

Starting in 1982, the Golden West Television Network became the main sponsors for the Easter Championship and have since displayed a keen interest in promoting the sport in W.A. Hopefully the sport will grow to where several towns in W.A field their own teams to compete for the Nationals at Easter every year.
The Perth Club has grown to the point where they now have their own track at Wanneroo Park, and also run their own Championship in October each year.