When racers take off down Nafziger Road in the Wellesley Soap Box Classic on Monday, one car will stand out from the crowd.
![Ethan Egli won his soap box car in a raffle held by the Wellesley and District Board of Trade.[Scott Barber / The Observer]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/post_soapbox.jpg)
Ethan Egli, an eight-year-old Wellesley native, is taking part in the event for the first time in a striking blue, white and yellow car won in a raffle held by the Wellesley Board of Trade.
“I work at the ESSO station so I see people coming and going all the time,” soap box derby organizer Wendy Sauder said. “Shortly after the event in 2011, George (Milligan) and I got talking about how much fun the kids all have and it got us thinking about how it’s a shame that more kids aren’t able to participate.”
So Milligan decided to donate a soap box kit.
“I bought a kit for our granddaughters a few years ago and by the time you buy the kit and get everything together it is $600,” Milligan explained. “Not everyone has $600 to spend, but everyone has a kid or two that might want to take part in the soap box derby.”
The kit was put together and painted by Brian Mainland.
“Brian has had a really cool car in the race before, so I knew that he was very handy and so on a lark I gave him a call and complimented him on his beautiful car,” Sauder explained. “I told him about the kit and asked if he would consider constructing it.”
Luckily, Mainland was already thinking about buying another kit to put together for fun, and was eager to get involved.
“He took it on with gusto,” Sauder said. “He enjoys it and you can clearly see that when you see the car.
The car was initially won by Brian Finn.
“He bought a raffle ticket to support the cause not really expecting to win,” Sauder said. “So he decided to re-donate the car to be re-raffled.”
It goes to show the generosity of the community, Sauder added.
Waiver forms and the $12 entrance fee must be submitted by August 30. Registration for The Wellesley Soap Box Classic begins at 1 p.m. on September 1 in the parking lot of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Age categories (as of Sept. 1, 2014) are 8-10, 11-13, 14-17 and 18+
