Soap Box Derby, Akron OH.

After several hours in the van we arrived in Akron, OH. for the All-American Soap Box Derby. While we checked into the hotal Isabelle checked out their library. Later that evening Austin took us out to see the track at Derby Downs. All I can say is it is big & I'm glad I'm not the one going down it. Although I have had to walk up the side of it twice now. Not much fun, try it with a little one on your hip. Monday morning the opening ceremonies began at 9 a.m., we arrived at 8a.m. to find a long line already there. As Mason & Ted waited in line the rest of us went to Canal Park where the ceremonies would take place. Each champion racer was brought in by a police escort, and introduced. While being introduced they signed the SBD board and threw items to the crowd. Mason was brought in around 11:30. He had several things to throw, he had balls, flashlight keychains, hats, foam corn, cups and a few Athens SBD t-shirts. After he was introduced he was taken in and recieved his SBD bag with ID & official t-shirts and other items, including a nice watch. He has to wear his ID & t-shirts to all events or he can't get in. We were all pretty tired and after lunch we all crashed at the hotel.

Some of the cars at Derby Downs in one of the storage buildings. The cars are shipped in ahead of time and inspected. If your car doesn't have anything wrong you recieve VIP, Mason's car had two bolts that had to be replaced because they were 1/4" to long.

Live radio interview via phone with WYXI in Athens, TN with our director Austin Fesmire.

While waiting for opening ceremonies the racers trade buttons with each other, we made 500 buttons to bring and trade. Mason is in the background trading with some girls. I think it was buttons and not phone numbers!

Champions in line.

Mason signing the board.

Throwing things to the crow, did I mention how crazy these people were. We saw two women fighting over a t-shirt. We did catch a few things and actually managed to get a couple of t-shirts.