‘Soap Box Derby’ slated June 17

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

May 24, 2000 8 PM

For kids who have dreams of driving on the NASCAR circuit, the opportunity to get behind the wheel may come soon than expected.

Even though a soap box derby race isn’t exactly the Daytona 500, it is a chance to motor-less speed down the track in hopes of taking the checkered flag.

The Troy Soap Box Derby June 17 is shaping up to be an exciting event but, Nancy Brooks, derby director, said drivers are needed for two of the cars in the stock division.

In order to fill the two slots, the Troy Soap Box Derby committee is seeking "applications" from qualified "drivers," who are between the ages of 9 and 16, residents of Pike County and who meet the weight requirement.

The combined weight of the driver and the car can be no more than 200 pounds and Brooks said the car weighs about 65 pounds.

Anyone who meets the driver requirements may submit an essay application for consideration by the derby driver selection committee.

"We wanted to give everyone the same opportunity to drive one of the cars," Brooks said, "and we thought an essay contest would be a fair way. Each boy or girl who wants to enter is to submit an essay of 75 words or less title, "Why I Want To Be A Soap Box Derby Driver."

Judges will select two drivers from the entries and they will race in the

Troy Soap Box Derby June 17.

Deadline for entry is May 29 and entries should be mailed to Nancy Brooks, P. O. Box 120 Brundidge Blvd., Troy, AL 36081.

"We want the drivers to have time to get familiar with their car," Brooks said. "The official preliminary race is set for June 3 on Elm Street but drivers can practice at home as much as they like."

Brooks said the drivers who are selected through the essay contest will be one-time drivers for this year only.

However, if they win the local race, they will be eligible to drive in the American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio in July.

"We want to encourage any young person who would like to have an opportunity to drive a soap box derby car in an official race to write why they would

like to do so," Brooks said. "We’ll have two winners in the essay contest and it could be you."