Evening star., 1938-05-28
VETERAN ENTERS
SOAP BOX DERBY
Boy, IS, Who Competed in
Chicago Four Years Ago,
to Try Again.


Washington's first Soap Box Derby,
sponsored by The Star and the Ameri-
caa Legion, will have its veterans when
several hundred boys from the metro
politan area race for the local cham
pionship this summer.
One Of these derby veterans will be
Wayne Kemmell, Is, Of 3725 r street
NV, son of Charles F. Kemmell. re-
viewer in the Public Works Admins
tration.
When the first All-American Soap
Box Derby for boys was held in more
than 80 cities in 1884, one Of the con-
testants at Chicago was Wayne, II at
the time and living in suburban Des-
PLANES. With more than 300 other
boys, he raced in his homemade coast
er automobile on a specially built
course at the Chicago World Fair.
Wayne, who failed to win prize,
came to Washington the next year
and has been longing for another derby
ever since.
The elder Kemmell read about
Washingtons derby In The Star We'd
nesday An ardent derby fan him
self, the father took Wayne to their
nearest Chevrolet motor car dealer
and the boy, who will graduate from
Gordon Junior High School this year,
was entered In the local derby.
Tell Of Earlier Race.
The Chicago race gave Wayne
thrill that he has never forgotten.
He and his father told about 1t in an
interview today as they looked over
the 1888 official rule book, complete
with rules and details for derby en-
trants. and compared it with the small
1884 book which had very few rules
for homemade racers.
Wheels were q headache for Wayne
and all the other boys in Chicago and
Cook County, Ill Wagon wheels and
baby carriages were stripped to pro-
vide rolling power
Now, Wayne finds the wheel prob
lem is solved in 1898. Enterprising
manufacturers and merchants found
a Nationwide demand and they are
supplying it. Regulation wheels and
axles for derby racers will be sold by
local merchants to the boy derbyists.
This years racers may not cost more
than $40. Wayne recalled his long,
narrow Derby Special" style racer of
1884 cost nothing because I raked
and scraped up the parts here and
there" The chassis was Of the IRON
ing board type. with drag brakes and
rope steering. This type of steering is
now barred, only cable being permis-
sible. Pneumatic tires. in style in
1894, also are barred in favor of
solid tires.
Wayne and his brother. Charles K
KENNEL, now II and a senior at
Western High, both built and entered
cars in the event four years ago.
Charles is too old. much to his regret,
to participate in the local race. which
is limited to boys not younger than
nor older than IS Four years ago,
the limits were broader-6 to 18 years.
Spent Month Working.
Working in his back yard and base
ment, Wayne spent a month assem-
bling his 1884 entry. With the Wash
ing Derby to be held probably in
July, he has plenty of time for his
new edition of coaster racer.
1T was thrilling to hear the an
nouncer call out your name and tell
what type of racer you had" Wayne
recalled from his previous Soap Box
experience Chevrolet dealers took
the boys and their racers to the
Worlds Fair course. Thousands of
people were there. III always re-
member it."
This year Wayne plans 'just to
build a good racer and try to win
adding with emphasis. I'm out to
win and I'm after that four-year
university scholarship that goes to
the national champion"
Waynes father thinks 'the derby
is a marvellous thing for the boys 1t
shows their skill" Mr. Kemmell said,
in being able to build their own
racers"
Meanwhile, scores of boys are enter
ing the Washington Derby, for which
the exact date will be set later. Eleven
Chevrolet motor car dealers in Wash
ington. Silver Spring and Hyatts-
vile, Md, and Alexandria and Clar-
endon, Va, are registering the en-
trants.
The Washington winner will be sent
to Akron Ohio. at The Stars expense
to compete in the national and inter-
national races on August IA. Those
who do not win stand fine chance of
capturing valuable prizes. There will
be a fine list of prizes for the Wash
ineton Derby, including a trophy. the
trip to Akron and q gold wrist watch
for the champion.
Holleran Is Director.
The derby director is o. c. Holle-
ran, chairman of the Americanism
Commission of the District Depart
ment of the American Legion. Com
mittees to handle arrangements will
be announced shortly.
Boys who want to build and run
their own coaster racers in the derby
should 60 to the nearest Chevrolet
motor car dealer and obtain:
% The 1893 Official Rule Book
for the Fifth All-American Soap
Box Derby This book gives you
minute rules and regulations on
how to build a racing car that will
qualify for the Washington Derby.
(2) Your entrance blank for the
Washington race, tentatively set for
July %.
90 The Star-American Legion
safety pledue which voy are to sion