Her mother, Barbel Goclik, said through an interpreter that she had not known what to expect before they left Germany, but that the All-American had exceeded her expectations. She added that they enjoyed their stay in Akron more than New York City, where they stopped for some sightseeing on their way to Ohio. As she described New York, Barbel Goclik rolled her eyes and laughed. This year was special for several reasons for the derby. The rickety old wooden bleachers were replaced with new blue aluminum seats, and the bumpy old track was resurfaced with smooth black asphalt.
Plans are under way for another improvement for next year.
After that, derby officials expect to concentrate on efforts to find sponsors for a museum at Derby Downs. A big success this year was finding a local sponsor for the All-American. General Manager Jeff Iula said he was pleased with the way the event turned out. The participants and spectators seemed about as enthusiastic as they have in years, Iula said, adding that he noticed more attention than usual paid to collecting derby memorabilia. Although the most dedicated collectors sought items older than the racers' parents, Iula noted that the collecting frenzy has affected the sale of 1999 items ranging from T-shirts to programs.