Skip to content

A ride to remember at the Sixth Annual YK Grand Prix

3005ridetoremember31
Brendan Burke/NNSL photo. Twelve-year-old Laiza Koyina goes neck and neck with a road rival in her pint-sized fire truck – a tribute to her late grandfather Pat Fowler, a longtime City firefighter who died last summer. May 26, 2018.

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 Koyina’s 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 – and “grandpa” to Koyina – who died in August of last year after 35 plus years of service.

“It inspired me because my grandpa,” said Koyina.

“I really miss him. So, I decided to make a cart for him so he could be with me when I was driving,” she said.
Koyina’s mother, Shirley Sangris, told Yellowknifer her daughter wanted to keep Fowler’s memory alive with an on-the-road ode to the man she misses.

Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
A closer look at Laiza Koyina's miniature model of her grandpa's fire truck. By crafting the creative tribute to the late firefighter who served for more than 35 years, Koyina wanted him to be with her “when she was riding.”
May 26, 2018.

“She decided all of a sudden, ‘well grandpa’s gone now. I want this cart to look like his fire truck,’” 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 derby’s 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.

“I 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,” said Neil Penney, who doubles as a math man and a program support teacher at the school.
“(Laiza) got the colour a paint scheme and she called the fire department,” added Penney.

“It was quite touching.”

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. “Over the years, the cars have slowly gotten more sophisticated,” he said.

But during Saturday’s race, which saw hundreds of cheering spectators – including a pair of GNWT ministers Glen Abernethy and Wally Schumann – line the residential road, a stylish soap box was just as important as a sophisticated one.

Just ask the Swan family.

“It’s kind of an unspoken of contest of design as well,” 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 year’s derby from the sidelines, received a helping hand from their artistically-inclined father.

“I’ve got a fine arts degree so I'm glad I’m finally putting it to use,” 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.

“It’s just a great community event and it’s kind of cool to see the kid’s working with their parents on something. It’s a chance to see a lot of people from Yellowknife in our neighbourhood,” 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 driver’s seat.

“It’s an inclusive event from start to finish. We’ve had people who utilize wheelchairs and mobility aids to people who are fully ambulatory ... Once you’re in that cart and you’re coming down off the ramp, everybody’s equal,” said McKee.

This year’s 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 didn’t land on the podium, she took home a participation trophy, taking the memory of “grandpa Pat” down the hill with her.