Among the memorable medley of creative and colourful soapboxes that darted down School Draw Avenue during the sixth annual NWT Disabilities Council-hosted YK Grand Prix Saturday, one cart carried a racer who was riding to remember.

Twelve-year-old Laiza KoyinaSA国际影视传媒檚 mock fire truck, complete with with a crisp red and yellow paint job, a 3D-printed spoiler and an authentic GNWT logo affixed to its side, was more than just a eye-catching mini mode of transportation. It was a pint-sized tribute to Pat Fowler, a longtime GNWT firefighter SA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒済randpaSA国际影视传媒� to Koyina SA国际影视传媒� who died in August of last year after 35 plus years of service.

SA国际影视传媒淚t inspired me because my grandpa,SA国际影视传媒� said Koyina.

SA国际影视传媒淚 really miss him. So, I decided to make a cart for him so he could be with me when I was driving,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
KoyinaSA国际影视传媒檚 mother, Shirley Sangris, told Yellowknifer her daughter wanted to keep FowlerSA国际影视传媒檚 memory alive with an on-the-road ode to the man she misses.

SA国际影视传媒淪he decided all of a sudden, SA国际影视传媒榳ell grandpaSA国际影视传媒檚 gone now. I want this cart to look like his fire truck,SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒� said Sangris.

To turn a few pieces of wood into a realistic fire truck took a team effort, a common theme seen in the concerted efforts of the derbySA国际影视传媒檚 35 riders and their parental helpers.

Along with support from her mother, Koyina found a helping hand in her grade 7 math teacher at Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah.

SA国际影视传媒淚 helped facilitate the best I could. I gave them time and materials, showed them a few techniques, but Laiza wanted to do hers as a tribute,SA国际影视传媒� said Neil Penney, who doubles as a math man and a program support teacher at the school.
SA国际影视传媒�(Laiza) got the colour a paint scheme and she called the fire department,SA国际影视传媒� added Penney.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was quite touching.SA国际影视传媒�

Two other Kaw Tay Whee School students Maalea Baillargeon and Jack Penney brought their need for speed alongside Koyina.

Penney said faculty have been involved behind the scenes of the derby since it kicked into gear six years ago. SA国际影视传媒淥ver the years, the cars have slowly gotten more sophisticated,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

But during SaturdaySA国际影视传媒檚 race, which saw hundreds of cheering spectators SA国际影视传媒� including a pair of GNWT ministers Glen Abernethy and Wally Schumann SA国际影视传媒� line the residential road, a stylish soap box was just as important as a sophisticated one.

Just ask the Swan family.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 kind of an unspoken of contest of design as well,SA国际影视传媒� said Steve Swan, whose two daughters, Nora and Lucy rode in a swan and caterpillar cart.

The sisterly, who duo were inspired to join the race after watching last yearSA国际影视传媒檚 derby from the sidelines, received a helping hand from their artistically-inclined father.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e got a fine arts degree so I'm glad ISA国际影视传媒檓 finally putting it to use,SA国际影视传媒� said Swan, smiling.

Sitting comfortably close to the action Saturday was neighbourhood resident Shawn McCann, who, like many others, plotted camping cars alongside the raceway.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 just a great community event and itSA国际影视传媒檚 kind of cool to see the kidSA国际影视传媒檚 working with their parents on something. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a chance to see a lot of people from Yellowknife in our neighbourhood,SA国际影视传媒� said McCann.

NWT Disabilities Council executive director Denise McKee said the derby, started six years ago in a nostalgic nod to Yellowknife soapbox races in the 1970s, aims to put inclusivity in the driverSA国际影视传媒檚 seat.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 an inclusive event from start to finish. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e had people who utilize wheelchairs and mobility aids to people who are fully ambulatory ... Once youSA国际影视传媒檙e in that cart and youSA国际影视传媒檙e coming down off the ramp, everybodySA国际影视传媒檚 equal,SA国际影视传媒� said McKee.

This yearSA国际影视传媒檚 derby was sponsored by Dominion Diamond, Buffalo Airways, Canadian North, Air Tindi, Coca-Cola Canada and others.

In the six-to seven-year-old age bracket, Hayden Shaffer took the top spot, with Avery Balmer and Austin Morton claiming second and third place respectively.

For riders aged eight and nine, Peyton Cosenzo was crowned winner, while Mischa Sanders came in at second. Kolby Melanson snatched third place. Of the 10-to 12-year olds riding Saturday, Cohen Shaffer raced to the top of the podium. Maalea Baillargeon crossed the finish line in second place, while Kaylen Sundberg nabbed third.

While Laiza Koyina didnSA国际影视传媒檛 land on the podium, she took home a participation trophy, taking the memory of SA国际影视传媒済randpa PatSA国际影视传媒� down the hill with her.