for Troy Soap Box Derby

The last construction day for the Troy Soapbox Derby cars was held Saturday and all of the nuts and bolts should be in place for the biggest derby ever in Pike County.

Thirteen cars have been entered in the Stock division. Local sponsors and drivers are: Colonial Bank (Jamie Collins)

Haynes Ambulance (Roger Parker), KW Plastics (Joshua Blythe), Sanders Lead Company (Jeramy Murphy), Sorrell Lumber Company (Christian Crosby), Southeast Alabama Rural Health Association (SARHA) (Heather Sanders), The Messenger, (Carrie Little),

Troy Bank & Trust Company (Nicholas Mobley), Whaley Construction Company (Hilary Bassett) and WTBF Radio (Alex Adams). Out of town sponsors and drivers are Borchert Racing Team of Louisiana

(Carson Borchert )and two DJ cars from

HOT 105 Radio of Montgomery (Dontavious Harvis and Dadrick Howard).

The Super Stock division will have 11 entries, 10 local. The sponsors of the Super Stock cars

and their drivers are: Bama Nut Shop (Sherri Wallace), Battery Specialists (Stephen Brooks), Carter Brothers Manufacturing Company (Jeremy Fortune), Darrell Potter (Demi Potter), Hudson Transportation/Troy Exchange Club (Jeffrey Davis),

Sodexho Marriott (Taylor Faulkinberry), Nations Rental (Mitch McLeod), Smith Racing Team (Brian Smith), Troy Bank & Trust Company (Zack Chancellor), Troy Children’s Center (Ellen Dragsten) and Martin Racing Team of Sylacauga (Dylan Martin).

Two cars have been entered in the Master’s Division but two cars won’t make up an official division. However, Bama Nut Shop and Social Cafe, both of Brundidge, will race for the fun of it and the good thing is that neither can finish lower than second place.

"We had hoped to have several entries in the Oil Can Division which is an ‘anything goes’ division for adults," Brooks said. "We’ve had some interest shown but no entries yet. This would be a fun race. There are no restrictions on how the car can be built or the size. The only requirements are that it is gravity powered and it must have a steering mechanism and brakes."

Anyone interested in entering the Oil Can Division may sign up as late as March

24 at the practice run for the other divisions.

The practice run will be on Saturday, March 24 on Elm Street and the Troy Soap Box Derby will be held the following Saturday, March 31 on the Elm Street hill.

"We need volunteers to help on race day," Brooks said. "The Army ROTC and the Air Force ROTC at Troy State will do the heavy work of lifting the cars, but others are needed to keep score, sell souvenirs and keep order. And, go-fers are always in demand."

NACCU at Troy State will sell hamburgers, hotdogs, soft drinks and other refreshments with the proceeds going to Relay for Life.

South Alabama Electric Cooperative assisted the Troy Soapbox Derby in purchasing trophies and Troy Nissan assisted with the purchase of driver tee shirts.

Anyone who would like to support the Troy Soap Box Derby by making a donation toward the purchase of either trophies or tee shirts is encouraged to contact Brooks at 566-1563.

A Troy Soap Box Derby Banquet is planned for 6 p.m Friday, March 30 at Barnhill’s at which time, the drivers will select car numbers and get their lane assignments. They will also meet race officials and get last minute Derby instructions.

Last year’s Troy Soap Box Derby Champions, Ellen Dragsten and Austin Bennett will be honored.

"We would like to encourage everyone to make plans to attend the Derby on March 31," Brooks said. "It will be a fun day of racing and these young drivers need our support. However,

we do encourage everyone to bring lawn chairs because there is no place to sit otherwise."

For more information contact Brooks at 566-1563 or visit the All-American Soap Box Derby website at http://aasbd.org.