The Northern Maine Soap Box Derby Race is scheduled for Saturday, June 21 on Derby Hill in Community Park.
Youth must be eight years of age by June 21 through age 17 years to participate. Deadline for registrations is May 1.
To register or for more information contact Derby Director Dan Emerson at 532-6591; e-mail a request to rec.programs@houlton-maine.com; or drop by the Houlton Recreation Department to pick up a registration packet.
“I don’t think the excitement has died down,” said Emerson. “But, we still need to get a few new kids each year. It seems we’ve gone through a generation or two that know the ins and outs of Soap Box Derby racing, now we need to teach another generation.”
Over the next few weeks, the Houlton Pioneer Times will be running profiles of last year’s drivers and their opinion of Soap Box Derby racing.
Name: Jacob “Jake” Worthley
Years racing: 1
How did you get interested in Soap Box Derby racing? I used to go watch my cousins race and thought it looked like fun. I couldn’t wait to be old enough to race myself.
Why did you want to race? It looked like a lot of fun.
Do you rally race? If so, why? Yes, you get a lot more trips down the hill and gain a lot of experience.
Strategy of the hill: Hug the line.
Do you have a memento, charm, special shoes or keepsake? I found a 50 cent piece on the way up the hill for my first race and keep that with me.
What do you like about racing? It is fun and you meet a lot of new friends. I like to try to win trophies, too.
What helped you win the VIP Best Tech Car last year? I spent a lot of hours following directions and working together with my Grampy. I learned a lot.
Advice to those who have never raced or a newcomer to the sport? Do it, it’s fun.
Parents/hometown: Jonathan and Jana Worthley, Houlton.
Years racing: 5
How did you get interested in Soap Box Derby racing? My sisters were racing and they would come home saying that was fun, so I wanted to have fun.
Why did you want to race? Because I had family members doing it and I wanted to try.
Do you rally race? If so, why? Yes, because we have fun rallying and we can see what we need to do to our car for the local race.
Strategy of the hill: Go to the cones and follow them all the way until the end.
Do you have a memento, charm, special shoes or keepsake? None.
What do you like about racing? The thrill of the hill.
Advice to those who have never raced or a newcomer to the sport? They should try it, because they would really have fun. Its the “Thrill of the Hill.”
Parents/hometown: Andrew and Patty Sloat, Hodgdon.
Name: Chelsea Sloat
Years racing: 7
How did you get interested in Soap Box Derby racing? My sister and my Dad. I didn’t really want to race at first, but all I had to do was go down the hill once and I wanted to do it again!
Why did you want to race? Justine was racing and it just looked like a blast! I wanted to be a part of this thrill.
Do you rally race? If so, why? Yes! Rallying is so much fun. You meet a bunch of new people and it gets you ready for the local race.
Strategy of the hill: I don’t really have much of a strategy. I just tuck down in my car and try to get as close to the cones as I can.
Do you have a memento, charm, special shoes or keepsake? I always wear my water shoes.
What do you like about racing? The thing I like most about racing is the feeling I get after I win a heat and get a trophy. It makes me feel like I have accomplished so much.
Advice to those who have never raced or newcomers to the sport? You should definitely try it. It’s an amazing time, and the competition is great. When they say “The Thrill of the Hill”, they really mean it!
Parents/hometown: Andrew and Patti Sloat, Hodgdon.
RACING FAMILY – The Sloats are a racing family, from left, Chelsea, Matt and Justine. Absent is older sister Collette.
