Events

Gearheads experience first soapbox derby

BY KATE SILVA

SAN MARCOS- The Gearheads of Texas State participated in what was the organization’s first soapbox derby race for a completely new experience.

Finished Soapbox Car  (Photo:Philip Bridges)

Before the 2015 Texas State Homecoming, Gearheads of Texas State had never participated in the annually held Soapbox Derby. 

Homecoming week Gearhead’s president, Paden Albin, and officer Luis Ortiz came together to create a soapbox car to enter it in the Soapbox Derby. The two members had a lot to say about their experience building the car.

“We didn’t have a lot to work with, we just had rebar and some steel tubing my dad had laying around,” Ortiz said. “We decided to make an exoskeleton out of the rebar for the frame.”

Ortiz said that their main focus was mostly on the design of the soapbox car in order to give it that old hotrod look. Their car was completely made of steel and the design influence was a rat rod 1930’s model A Ford and the movie "Mad Max: Fury Road."

Soapbox car closeup (Photo: Philip Bridges)

 “We put a skull in the front and crossbones. We wanted it to look mean and aggressive,” said Ortiz.

When it came to building the soapbox, Albin and Ortiz used their previous welding experience to help them but still learned along the way.

“We learned a lot of what we could and couldn’t do especially with the axels,” Ortiz said.

 The Gearheads of Texas State didn’t actually place in the race but they learned a lot on what to improve for their next soapbox. Albin stated that they definitely need to spend more time considering all the types of materials to use on the car and will be back next year.

“I know we didn’t place but in my heart our car was the best,” Ortiz said.

For more information on the Gearheads of Texas State you can visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Gearheads-of-Texas-State-University-128304317181155/?fref=ts