OK, just got back from the Derby Director's house.. we did some prep work on the car.. replaced the brake pad, cleaned off the oversprayed paint on the inside of the shell. Tomorrow we gotta go back and replace one of the pulley's for the braking system. Next week we go to get him and his car re-weighed.
All this because..
He's going to the national race in Akron in 2 weeks!!!!Turns out the original first place winner's car was disqualified. Don't know the exact reason, apparently we aren't allowed to know, just that it failed a post-race inspection.
Here's a bit of info from the All-Amercian Race home page:
http://aasbd.com/SBD_page_2.htm
Local champions from each of the Stock, Super Stock and Masters division Soap Box Derby races throughout the world come to Akron, Ohio, in July each year to compete for scholarships and merchandise prizes in the All-American Soap Box Derby.
Upon their arrival, each of the young champions are whisked into Akron with a police escort. As the young boy or girl arrives at the site of the welcoming ceremonies, the Derby band strikes up a tune and an announcer introduces the champion to the crowd. After signing in on the official entry board, receive their official racing clothing for the week along with various other gifts from the AASBD and its sponsors.
As the week progresses, the young champions are reunited with their racers which have been shipped from home. The cars are weighed and thoroughly inspected to make certain they meet all the safety regulations. The champs get their first look at Derby Downs, a 954 foot racing track designed specifically for Soap Box Derby competition. Each of the contestants gets a trial run down the course to become familiar with the track. Parents and families of the Derby champs, as well as local Derby officials and fans who visit the All-American, also have a busy week. There are special entertainment programs for champions, families, and friends, while Derby officials attend meetings concerning rules and workshops on how to improve their racing programs.
Celebrities from the sports and entertainment world come to Akron to visit the champs and take part in the Derby parade and other festivities.
The week's festivities lead up to Race Day when the anxious champions prime their racers for a chance at the winner's circle. Race Day activities kick off with a spectacular opening ceremonies, followed by the traditional Oil Can Trophy Race which celebrities compete in oversized Derby Cars.
There will be three divisions at the All-American in the Local Championship and three divisions in the Rally Championship. By the afternoon's end, six new winners emerge to wear the traditonal gold jackets (local champions) and scarlet jackets (rally champions) signifying they are the world champions of the Stock, Super Stock and Masters divisions of the All-American Soap Box Derby.
All awards are presented on Saturday evening as the champions, their families and friends, Derby officials and business and civic leaders gather to pay tribute to all the contestants in the All-American Soap Box Derby and to present the awards to the winners. In Derby circles, all contestants in the All-American are considered champions because it is believed they all have greatly enriched their lives through the experience they have had in Akron during Derby Week and the lessons they have learned while building their cars and racing them in local Derby programs back home.
