Rolling for autism

Photo: Contributed

A new event coming to Penticton this spring will give the whole family a chance to get involved.

The Centre for Exception Learning — a local charity that supports, educates and challenges students with high-functioning autism — is hosting a soapbox derby April 6. Sponsored by Greyback Construction, the event will feature an appearance by Austin Riley, the world’s first professional race car driver with autism.

“Building and racing soapbox cars is a great family activity,” says Carrie Ferguson, event organizer and executive director of the centre. “We hope to get a lot of participants in the derby and welcome the whole community to watch the races and enjoy all of the activities we have planned.”

For the first year, the course is being designed to be fun for beginners and anyone is invited to enter. There will be prizes for the fastest car and most creative design as well as cars for the public to try out.

Austin Riley has been touring North America with his race car and a “autism reality experience trailer” to raise awareness of autism and help people understand what it’s like to live with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Activities will be held between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the centre at 3547 Skaha Lake Road. More info can be found here.