ANDERSON, Ind.
In the late 17th century, Sir Isaac Newton set forth the ideas that govern the movements of all earthly things, which would become known commonly as the laws of motion. This past Saturday, 31 children and youths from Madison County, Ind., ranging in age from 8 to 18, assembled at Townsend Derby Hill in Anderson to put these scientific laws into practice and compete in the 2003 Anderson All-American Local Soap Box Derby.
Under a gray June sky, soap box derby enthusiasts took part in what has become an annual tradition, now in its 66th year, in Anderson. This year's installment was another success, according to director Becky Ray.
"We're in it to make sure that these kids have a fun fair race," said Ray. "That's what we like to see."
Ray also stressed the benefit of camaraderie that this event and others instill in young people.
"Kids can go all around the United States to rallies and meet new kids," said Ray. "They e-mail each other. They telephone each other. It is just fantastic."
Many of the racers' parents helped their sons and daughters build their cars. This makes soap box derby racing more of a team sport than an individual sport, according to 13-year-old Kacey Bennett of Pendleton, Ind.
"A lot of it depends on yourself, but the people around you that help you build your car and everything else are important," Kacey said.
Derby races are divided into three divisions based on the total combined weight of the car and driver: stock (200 pounds), super stock (230 pounds) and masters (255 pounds). The winner of each class will next take part in the 2003 All-American Soap Box Derby Finals on July 26 in Akron, Ohio.
This year's stock champion, 9-year-old Justin Vannata of Anderson, has some large shoes to fill in Akron. His older brother, Cameron, 12, was last year's world champion in the stock division. The younger Vannata is confident that he can follow in his sibling's footsteps.
"I think I can win it," said Justin.
Joining Justin in Akron for the finals will be Kacey Bennett in the super stock division and 12-year-old Angelea Townsend of Anderson in the master division, both of whom were racing on a hill named after a late relative.
The races this year were extremely close. Most were decided by hundredths of a second, a fact that intimidated Kacey at the beginning of the day.
"Most of them were really close," said Kacey, who was stock champion two years ago before taking last year off. "When I went out, I wasn't sure how well I was going to do, but as I got further, I thought I had more of a chance."
With a chance to have back-to-back world champions from Madison County, the three winners are eager to test their skills against the other finalists from around the country.
"There's a lot of competition up there," Kacey said. "We'll have a blast."
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