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The competitors and their families, as well as volunteers, were busy at Sanford Derby Park as all 15 cars that quali-fied in either the Local Derby or accumulation of points in the year-long Rally season were prepared for shipment to Akron, Ohio for this coming week’s 75th All-American Soap Box Derby. The cars (1st photo) are lined up and ready to go, while Super Stock Rally Champion Dylan Perry’s father, Dave Perry, (2nd photo) adds last minute decals before loading the car in the trailer where the father and son duo of Roger and Chandler Soucey (3rd photo) discuss the next step in loading the trailer. All 15 cars passed inspection with flying colors on Thursday and the drivers will meet up with their cars on Monday as Race Week begins leading up to the 75th All-America Soap Box Derby next Saturday (July 21).
And that’s not to mention local Race Director Eric Griffin who is also in Akron to represent the CFSBD and the City of Sanford Recreation Services Department.
All-American Race Week for the 75th All-American Soap Box Derby begins tomorrow (Sunday) with a day of meetings and really gets underway on Monday with the Champions Official Welcoming Ceremonies.
In addition to Local Champions Kathryn Lindsey (Stock Division), John Gahres (Super Stock Division) and Spencer Kostewicz (Masters Division), who claimed their spots in the 75th All-American Derby by winning the Sanford Local All-American Derby Qualifier back in May, their will be 12 cars that call the Central Florida Soap Box Derby and Sanford Derby Park home also heading to Ohio as Rally Qualifiers representing Region 7.
Region 7 consists of Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina and it (Region 7) held enough rally races (36) to send six cars and drivers in each division.
And after a year of monthly rallies, 12 of those 18 slots were earned by racers from Sanford Derby Park that accumulated enough points over the year to claim one of the six spots in each of the three classes, Stock, Super Stock and Masters.
In the Stock Rally Division, Sanford earned five of the six spots, led by Haley Dabbs, who racked up 188 points to edge Dawson Potts (186) by two points.
Other local qualifiers were Brittany Bisighini, Sean Rich and Zachary Kahler.
This is the first trip to Akron for Dabbs, Bisighini and Rich, while Potts and Kahler are veterans of the event.
Sanford drivers earned four places in the Super Stock Rally Division, led by Sirjesim “Sirge” Bomm, who claimed the National Point Championship for the class by earning 209 points during the year.
Also representing CFSBD will be Dakota Potts, Dylan Perry and Tessa Gagne.
Three drivers earned spots in the Masters Rally Division and it will be especially special for two of the drivers.
Allison Lindsey earned 186 points this season to lead all local drivers, but it is Michelle Thiffault and Briana Walker that will be a little more focused on every little thing as this will be their farewell tour, since each will age out this year and will not be eligible to compete next year.
The cars were shipped together and were delivered in Akron last Saturday (July 7) and all 15 cars passed VIP inspection on Thursday (July 12) with flying colors.
As mentioned earlier, race week begins officially on Monday and will end on race day next Saturday (July 21).
As this is the 75th Annual Race in Akron all of the champions will get special commemorative gold helmets and gold wheels to race with on Saturday.
There will be plenty of special activities for the drivers and their families as well as the thousands of fans who attend the event.
Check-In is early Monday morning and will be followed by a Welcome/Parade Meeting at the Downtown Akron Canal Park Stadium to get ready to take part in the parade down Main Street in Downtown Akron that leads to Lock 3 in Downtown Akron where there will be a Welcome Celebration that includes Champion Introductions and other family fun activities.
At 6 p.m., the champions will meet for the Parade of Champions down Main Street to Canal Park for a 7 p.m. Minor League baseball game featuring the Triple-A Akron Aeros, during which the champions will be recognized.
Beginning Tuesday, there will be a Breakfast of Champions each day to be followed by check in and testing as well as other special events for the drivers and their families, including lane and hear draws and Badge and souvenir trading, plus a Parents Forum and Awards (200-plus points, National Top 10 in Rally) ceremony on Tuesday; group photos and a Parents Race on Wednesday; Family Night and an Open House on Thursday; and Super Kids Check-In and Racing, plus clinics and a ‘Moth Ball’ Race on Friday.
Saturday begins with Check-In just after 6 a.m. and Opening Ceremonies begin at 8 a.m.
Racing runs until around 5:15 p.m., followed by the World Champions getting a limo ride to receive their awards and individual photos for the Top 9 finishers in each class of Local and Rally.
To follow all of the action without actually traveling to Ohio, go to the national website at _ www.aasbd.org _ and look for the link to the 75th AASBD and 75th AA Race Week that will have information and live video streaming.