Racers seek Ferrari speed

DANIEL MARKHAM

Last updated 10:53 18/03/2010

DANIEL MARKHAM

SPEED FIENDS: The Hobsonville School soap box derby team pose with their imitation Ferrari, along with the real thing. From left are James Hansen, Liam Fearnley, Jamie Smith, Finley McLaren, Shannon Derbyshire, Jack Davies and Megan Schermbrucker.

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It looks like a Ferrari and its crew is hoping it goes just as fast.

The eight Hobsonville School pupils will put their Western Leader-sponsored car through its paces during the All-American Soap Box Derby at Westgate on Sunday from 9am.

They hope to emulate the likes of Ferrari Formula One legend Michael Schumacher by getting their replica across the line first.

"We want to win it because you can go to the USA if you do," says Finley McLaren, 11, who will be joined at the wheel by fellow drivers Jack Davies, 11, Jamie Smith, 10, and Liam Fearnley, 12.

Megan Schermbrucker, 12, Shannon Derbyshire, 12, James Hansen, 11, and Breanna White, 10, make up the rest of the team and will act as pit crew.

They will be among hundreds of youngsters taking part in the popular annual event, organised by Waitakere Rotary.

Twenty teams from west Auckland schools will battle it out for the chance to race in the national final.

The winner of the nationals will go to the United States for the world championships.

Hobsonville has an experienced crew this year.

Sunday's event will be veteran Shannon's third derby, while Finley and Liam were both members of the 2009 team.

Finley thinks that experience and a bit of expert knowledge will give them the edge.

"We should be able to get into the finals this time," the Hobsonville resident says.

"We've got some dads who really know their stuff.

"The wheels are very good and the brakes are set up really well."

It is a good job the car has been finely tuned – speeds in the past have reached up to 56kmh.

The Hobsonville team has prepared for its day of speed by racing down driveways for the past month.