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 call 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.
Over the next few weeks, the Houlton Pioneer Times will be running profiles of some of last year’s top drivers and their opinion of Soap Box Derby racing.
Name: Allyson “Ally” Carmichael.
Years racing: 4
How did you get interested in Soap Box Derby racing? My brother Brandon raced and my parents have always helped out with the race.
Why did you want to race? Well, I could fit into the car my brother had and I thought it was cool that my brother did it!
Do you rally race? If so, why? On occasion I rally race, if I can fit it into my schedule.
Strategy of the hill: Scream all the way down the hill!
Do you have a memento, charm, special shoes or keepsake? Pictures of my brother and my family.
What do you like about racing? There is a reason they call it "The Thrill of the Hill!”
Advice to those who have never raced or a newcomer to the sport? It is so much fun, you get to hang out with your friends, make new ones and it is a great activity to do with your family!
Parents/hometown: Marie and Kevin Carmichael, Houlton.
Jessica Dickison
Years racing: 2
How did you get interested in Soap Box Derby racing? My older sister, Samantha, was in the local race.
Why did you want to race? Because it looked liked fun.
Do you rally race? If so, why? Yes. Because we get to meet new races from all over and we make new friends.
Strategy of the hill: Go over to the cones.
Do you have a memento, charm, special shoes or keepsake? I have a lucky pin.
What do you like about racing? I like working on the car and going down the big hill.
Advice to those who have never raced or a newcomer to the sport? It’s fun.
Parents/hometown: Jane and Brent Dickison, Houlton.
Years racing: 3
How did you get interested in Soap Box Derby racing? My sister Brooke raced.
Why did you want to race? It looked like lots of fun.
Do you rally race? If so, why? Yes. My dad likes to help out and I get more pointers that way.
Strategy of the hill: Stay next to the cones and get low.
Do you have a memento, charm, special shoes or keepsake? I have tons of pictures of Miley Cyrus and I have a special coin, too.
What do you like about racing? It’s fun meeting other kids and competing with them.
Advice to those who have never raced or a newcomer to the sport? Just have fun … don’t get too competitive.
Parents/hometown: Danny and Leslie Emerson,New Limerick.
