It is probably one of the best known pieces of advice given during a Soap Box Derby race: Get your butt back … get as far down in your car as possible … and, keep your head down.
Stock division winner Yvonne Henderson used it to the fullest in Saturday’s Northern Maine Soap Box Derby race, as she will make a trip to Akron, Ohio, along with Super Stock champion Olivia White.
With their respective wins, the Houlton girls will compete in the 77th running of the All-American Soap Box Derby Race on July 26.
Despite the drizzling rain and overcast skies, there were lots of smiles and plenty of laughter during the race on Saturday at Derby Hill in Community Park.
In the Stock Division, Henderson was not beaten all day as she gained the winner of all winners — “WOW” status — and by a narrow margin, bested veteran racer Cole Winslow for the title.
“I was a little nervous,” Henderson said. “And, a little confused. But, excited and grateful I had people to help me.”
In the Super Stock division, White went head-to-head with longtime friend and friendly rival Lexi Emerson. White has now been champion in both Soap Box derby divisons, as she won the Stock division in 2010.
“It feels so weird to win again,” she said. “But, it still is just as exciting as it was the first time. It was really fun to race against Lexi because we both have been racing for a long time and we both come to the race to have fun.”
White explained her strategy was very simple.
“It is what my papa always says before I go down the hill, ‘do your best forget the rest.’”
With a wet course, White noted most drivers were saying Lane 1 ran better, but she found that to be just the opposite for her.
“I have always liked Lane 2 for some reason,” she said.
With such a wet day, beginning drivers were finding they were not braking quick enough and rolling into the cones at the end of the course. As they jumped from their cars, most all of them either shrugged their shoulders with a big smile or just sat in their car grinning ear to ear.
“There were a few problems with how rainy it was and people being able to brake at the bottom,” said White. “But, most racers are used to the rain on race day.”
White’s sister, Franki, was the 2011 Super Stock champion and White’s family traveled to Akron with, the Bruens, whose son Chris was the Stock champ. On Saturday, Bruen’s sister, Mallory, placed third and White had the privilege of telling her some good news.
“They asked me to tell Mallory that she would be going to Akron on rally points,” said White. “It was such an honor to be asked to tell her she would be going to Akron just like her brother.”
Soap Box Derby is really a family sport and it looks like the Whites and Bruens will making another summer trip together.
Winning the Wayne Miller Sportsmanship Award was Konnor Lynds and recipient of the Alicia Dudzinski Spirit Award was Elizabeth Dahlk.
Committee Awards in memory of Chris Hiscoe and Aimee Fitzpatrick went to Adam Casillas and Mariah Peterson.
The VIP Stock winner was Holden Stoutamyer and Super Stock, Nick Perfitt. The VIP award represents a car that is in good condition with little adjustments needed.
The Best Decorated car winners were, Stock, Damien Sullivan and Super Stock, Dylan Jurson.
The first top eight winners in the Stock division were: Henderson, who received a $100 prize from the 1996 Stock champion Brandon Carmichael; second, Winslow; third, Bruen; fourth, Caden Foster; fifth, Meysha Dahlk (whose brother Leif won the Stock division last year); sixth, Dillion McCarthy; seventh, Josh McGillicuddy and eighth, Jason Collett.
Rounding out the Super Stock division winners were: White, $100 recipient from the Seth Fitzpatrick Memorial by his family; second, Emerson; and third, Sara Heath. In placing for the next two positions, brother and sister, Seth and Jennah Rand went head-to-head, with Seth coming in ahead of his sister in fourth and Jennah, fifth. The sixth-place winner was Adam Casillas; seventh, Darrien Henderson (cousin to Yvonne) and eighth, Leif Dahlk, last year’s Stock champ.
