In 1980 kids could actually compete and lean their way to victory. (kinda)
History.
“Cycle Chase” was fun but had safety issues.
Dream it.
Knott’s “Cycle Chase” had proven to be unsafe for guests. As a solution, Designer Eddie Sotto proposed replacing the vehicle to lower the center of gravity. Submitting a cardboard model of a 1920’s themed Soap Box Racer with buttons for wheels, the Knott family adopted the solution and development began to reopen 9 months later. The race was on!
Eddie Sotto in a cardboard vehicle “mock-up”
Build it.
According to Sotto, the “Wacky Soap Rox Racers” was out to be the first “outdoor dark ride.” With 4 cars in tandem led by Spike Jones, guests would “crash” their way out of a raceway, rally through the downtown streets of “Catnip Junction”, dive through water into the rat infested city sewer, then set to madcap music of Henry Mancini, careen over hills into “Seamour Dud’s fireworks factory” for an explosive finale.
The first “outdoor dark ride!”
Race it.
Marion Knott waved the checkered flag over famed indy winner Parnelli Jones to open the ride on July 4th weekend 1980. It became a huge hit as kids have made the ride a re-ride phenomenon as they felt they could really lean their way to victory on a gravity ride. It endured as a favorite for many years. Sadly, neglect and changes in management left the ride to decay, losing it’s show and mercifully in 1996 was replaced by a rollercoaster. Not a trace is left.
It remains a great memory to those who experienced it. Leave us yours on our blog!
ONLY 11 WEEKS AFTER OPENING, KEN KNOTT awards a “Gold Pass” to Martha Welsh, THE MILLIONTH RIDER. Given the size of the farm, this is quite a testament to ride’s popularity. It reportedly did 120% of attendance.
SOAP BOX SETS RECORDS. RACES TO A MILLION.
Soap Box Racers. Circa 1981
This spectacular map was drawn by Christopher Merritt in 1993 while being a CalArts student doing his thesis on the Wacky Soap Box Racers. Chris has gone on to work with Disney Imagineering and Universal Studios as a Show Designer, and as an Author, among his works, co wrote “Knott’s Preserved” the definitive work on the farm. His upcoming book will detail the “Knott’s Beary Tales” attraction. He is lending imagery to his partner Eric Lynxweiler for an upcoming “Wacky Soap Box” book, so there is much more to come. Needless to say, Chris remains the ultimate “Wacky Box Fan”! Thanks for sharing this.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR RACING TEAM.
Marion Knott and the family trusted people, not algorithms.
“Congratulations to all who made this ride happen in 9 months. Thanks first to Marion Knott, her son Darryl Anderson, and the entire Knott Family for giving a young designer the chance to start a career. Walter Knott gave many artists a place to grow. You come from nothing, but work hard. Marion was very patient with me, but had faith! My boss, Rick Campbell, trusted someone with no experience (Sears appliance salesman) in design to draw and direct a whole ride! Rick was groomed at Design27 by a former Disney Imagineer who believed in opportunity and creating a studio with a family like culture, Disney Legend Roland “Rolly” Crump. Rick modeled our department on an open management style and supportive culture that Rolly, his boss had begun. I think that had something to do with it. Very grateful.
So many departments at the farm supported the project like Design and Planning, Entertainment (Don Cohen, HF Crane, Bill Slusser), (DonTreece, Ed Roth) the Sign Shop, wardrobe, marketing, and more. Del Langdale from park decorating even made “bombs” with me! Thanks to “The Only Animated Display and Design Company.” They acted as the producer of the project, and I got to learn from the best former Disney Imagineers like Fredric Hope, Roger Broggie Jr. and Jim Elliot. They did the animated effects (crash doors, fireworks factory) and produced the set design based on my sketches and illustrations. Sets were built by Fantasy Faire and Krofft Entertainment led by Bobby Iwanicki, their scenic madman, My young wife Deena endured this whole “wackstorm” with grace, patience, and love, Thanks to my supportive parents and so many who brought the show to the finish line.” Eddie Sotto
If you’d like to join the WSBR Fan Club write us.. info@sottostudios.com
Riding Soap Box in 1994 in decline, but still fun