A brilliant blue sky, summery temperatures and 62 excited racers – the conditions for the traditional soapbox race in Walchwil could hardly have been better. Every two years, at the start of September, Forchwaldstrasse is transformed into a race track where young drivers compete for the fastest times in their colourful soapbox cars.

On Sunday, 6 September, there was already a buzz of activity on the Usseregg first thing in the morning. Here, the final preparations were being made, helmets were being put on, soapboxes were being admired, and no doubt the odd piece of good advice was being taken on board from parents and carers. You could literally feel the tension in the air. After all, every one of the young racers wanted to know just how fast their own soapbox would whizz down the hill.

After the practice run in the morning, things got serious in the afternoon. At 1.00 pm sharp, the first young driver took to the track to the loud applause of the large crowd. With eyes shining, a firm grip on the steering wheel and a good dose of courage, off they went. No sooner had they crossed the starting line than the soapbox picked up speed and whizzed downhill towards the Müller joinery.

When the road becomes a race track
Numerous spectators lined Forchwaldstrasse, determined not to miss the spectacle. Parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and many racing enthusiasts cheered the young drivers on loudly. Cheers and shouts accompanied the fast-paced races as the colourful soapbox cars rolled round bend after bend towards the finish line.

For the children, every run was a little adventure. They steered with concentration, braked, hoped – and sometimes probably held their breath a little too. Because even though the ultimate aim was to clock the fastest possible times, one thing was clearly the main focus: the joy of driving and the shared experience.

An idea born from simple wooden crates
There is an interesting story behind how a simple wooden crate, of all things, could become the starting point for such racing fun. The term ‘soapbox’ originates from the USA and dates back to the 1930s.

Back then, soap and other goods were delivered to shops in sturdy wooden crates. For many children, the empty crates were the ideal building material once the goods had been unpacked. The difficult economic times often left no room for expensive toys, let alone a bicycle of their own. So ingenuity was called for.

Using planks, wheels, screws and a good dose of imagination, the first homemade vehicles were created from these disused crates. What began out of necessity soon developed into a popular children’s pastime. Over time, the simple craft project evolved into a fascinating racing sport in which every second counts – without a motor, but with plenty of skill and as steep a slope as possible.

A celebration for young and old
This original idea lives on in Walchwil too. Whilst the soapbox cars are no longer just simple wooden boxes, but are often lovingly designed and built with great creativity, the most important thing has remained the same: the children tinker, race and enjoy a day full of excitement and joy together.

And so, on this sunny Sunday, Forchwaldstrasse became, for a few hours, arguably the fastest road in Walchwil. Sixty-two young racers provided speed, excitement and plenty of beaming faces lining the track.

And when calm returns to Forchwaldstrasse after the final exhilarating run, one thing remains above all else: the memory of a special day on which children’s dreams whizzed down the hill on four wheels. kh.