Last year’s winner racing Masters
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
When Soap Box Derby driver Lucas Grant was asked about his strategy for racing, he replied, “What strategy? Just hold on tight and don’t let go.”
MASTER DRIVERS – Racing in the Masters division are Lucas Grant, left, 2007 local Stock champion and 2008 Super Stock winner, along with the 2006 Super Stock champion Emily Fitzpatrick.
That’s what 23 Stock Division and 19 Super Stock Division drivers are going to do Saturday on Derby Hill during the 14th annual Northern Maine Soap Box Derby Race.
“I started racing when I was 8 years old,” said Grant. “I have many trophies from the local race and rallies. Our hill is awesome.”
Grant was the 2007 local Stock champion and repeated the feat in 2008 in the Super Stock division. He finished eighth in the Super Stock category in the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.
Grant’s sister Morgan is competing in the Super Stock division, along with familiar faces from past seasons.
This year, Grant graduated into the Masters Division, along with local 2006 Super Stock champion Emily Fitzpatrick.
“It’s totally different from racing a Stock and Super Stock car,” said Grant. “You need to lay down instead of sitting up in the car. You are limited on your visibility, but on our Derby Hill, you can see much better than the hill in Bangor.”
Grant is being sponsored this year by the Cain family of Bangor.
“The first year Lucas went to Akron, their daughter went in the Super Stock division from the Bangor race,” explained Wes Grant. “Then, the next year, their daughter went into the Masters division. To help keep number of Masters races in Bangor, he purchased another car to give to someone to race.”
After Grant’s second appearance in Akron, the Cains asked him to join the team.
Grant’s ride was supplied by the Cains, but he is racing for a worthwhile charity, as well.
“I am racing for Children’s International, which has been around since 1936,” he explained.
The organization has worked to improve the lives of improverished children and families around the world. They provide basic services like medical and dental care, nutritional support, clothing, education assistance and more, all in an effort to ease the burdens of poverty.
The Grants took the backing to heart, as they are sponsoring a teenager from the Dominican Republic.
Even though Grant isn’t racing this year, he will be around Derby Hill to support the other drivers.
“Have fun and enjoy the Thrill of the Hill,” he said. “Our hill is one of the best hills in the country, if not the best. Drive it like you stole it. But, most of all, have fun and drive fast.”
Anyone interested in learning more about Children’s International can visit their Web site at www.children.org.
