Official Race Date: July 21, 2007
Akron Girl Rolls to Soap Box Derby Title - Hometown racer has historic finish on exciting day at 70th All-American Soap Box Derby
This was the 70th year for the Soap Box Derby held in Akron, Ohio. Almost 600 youth participated in the gravity-powered ride down the 954-foot long Derby Downs track. They came from across the country, from Japan, Canada and Germany to an offbeat corner of the Rubber City for the world championship of this offbeat sport. In the end, the winner proved there may be a home field advantage, even in soap box derby racing.
A single elimination contest, most kids got one shot at the thrill of the hill. At 35 mph, that’s 30 seconds. When 13-year-old hometown hero Tyler Shoff became the first racer from Akron to win the All-American Soap Box Derby in more than 65 years, she burst into tears.
So did her mother. And her little sister.
The 70th All-American Soap Box Derby was an emotional event for many people. No one had a more trying time than Kacie Rader (16), who won in the masters division. She sped down the hill at Derby Downs in less than 30 seconds for an apparent victory and then waited through an agonizingly long car inspection before the win was declared official on Saturday.
When derby officials told Kacie and her family that her car had checked out, they cried and embraced.
Jim Huntsman, the derby’s president, said a part in the rear of Kacie’s car prompted the closer inspection. The delay was caused while derby officials retrieved a similar part from an unused car kit supplied to racers. The part was compared to Kacie’s car and no problem was discovered.
Kacie became the first winner from the Washington, D.C., area in 66 years.
Top finishers receive a trophy, a plaque and a scholarship ranging from $3,000 for the rally division champs to $5,000 for the local division winners.
The derby drew 595 racers — a record number — from 37 states and five countries and about 15,000 fans who enjoyed the picture-perfect weather.
Superstock winner Dennis VanFossen Jr. (14) can also claim a derby first. His sister Ashley was a 2001 champion — making the two of them the first sister- and-brother combination to have won the race. Dennis watched Ashley, win the derby when she was 13. She was there Saturday to celebrate his victory.
All past and current derby racers agree that derby racing is one of the most enjoyable and competitive things they have ever done. If Soap Box Derby sounds like something you would have fun doing, contact www.aasbd.org.
Loading ...
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.