Evening star., 1938-07-10
SOAP BOX DERBY
ENTRIES CLOSED
Approximately 400 Boys
Have Signed Up for
Contest Here.

Contest Here.
Swelled by the last-minute rush Of
boys in Warrington and the suburban
area, entry lists for the National Capt.
tails first Soap Box Derby were closed
last night at q dozen registration
places here and in Maryland and Vir-
ginia.
The final count is not yet complete,
but Derby Director o. c. Holleran
predicted last night that approximate
ly 400 boys have entered the coaster
racing competition to be held on
local course on July 70 under joint
sponsorship of The Star and the
American Legion.
This ends the first stage Of the
pre-derby campaign" said Mr.. Hol-
leran, who is chairman Of the Ameri-
canism Commission of the District
American Legion. THE boys are en-
rolled, a great majority Of them are
working every day on their own racing
cars and q number already are nm
ished and virtually ready for the start
ers signal.
Watch for Announcements.
During the next two weeks, be-
tween now and Derby Day, urge
every derby candidate to read The
Stars derby news carefully every day
for important announcements. and to
watch for the mailman who will bring
letters carrying strict instructions for
final inspection Of racers and details Of
transportation Of racers to and from
the track" the director continued.
Just two weeks from tonight (Sat-
urday) Washington will crown It's
first Soap Box Derby champion.
He will be sent to Akron. Ohio. to
represent Washington in the national
and international soap box finals on
August IA. The expenses Of this boy
and his father or other chaperon will
be paid by The Star.
The boys know, but it is we'll to call
their attention again. to the fine list
of prizes that will be won here on
Derby Day. The champion gets the
beautiful M. E. Coyle Trophy and the
trip to Akron where he will be pre-
sented with a gold wrist watch. And
at Akron, he will have a chance to
race on the Derby Downs course for
the national title and the four year
State university scholarship that goes
with it.
There will be scores Of other
prizes" said Mr.. Holleran, for boys
Of the Washington area who place
second and third in classes A and B Of
the local race. for the boys with the
best-designed. best-upholstered and
best-brake cars: fine bronze medals
for the boys who win the initial heats,
and prizes Of sporting goods and other
articles that every boy wants to possess.
All win Get Helmets.
Every boy in the race" declared
the director. will be presented with
an all-steel turret-top helmet and q
sweat shirt bearing the insignia Of
the Soap Box Derby and The Star.
He may keep these for his own.
"All in all. these things are worth
working for in every way, and want
to see Washington set 4 national
record for the number of boys entered
who actually finish their racers and get
into the race"
The director again called the at
tention Of Derby boys to the pre-
inspection Of finished racers to be
held Tuesday at the salesrooms Of
Chevrolet dealers in Washington,
Silver Spring and Hyattsville, Md;
Alexandra, Clarendon and Falls
Church. Va. This pre- inspection Is
purely optional as far as the boys are
concerned and merely gives them the
chance to have their cars checked
over well in advance Of the race to
correct any defects and any features
that violate regulations OF the 1898
official rule book.
Each boy who desires to have his
car pre-inspected must transport 1t to
and from the dealers. Plans for the
regular compulsory inspection to be
held just before the Derby will be
announced later.
Site to Be Named Soon.
Mr.. Holleran said the site of the
Derby will be named some time within
the next week. Each day will bring
specific announcements of plans for
the Derby itself, for the parade to the
course before the races actually begin
and for various pre-Derby events.
The next series Of radio broadcasts
will begin tomorrow at Sis pm, over
Station WMAL, and will continue
until Derby Day. Mr.. Holleran will
speak during the first 15-minute pro-
gram, outlining the general plans for
the race to be held July 70.
Tuesdays broadcast Is scheduled for
$50 pm. and WednAsdaY's for 6.lH