Evening star., 1940-05-22

Billy Mansfield Hopes
To Add to Prizes Won
In Heot Victories
washingtons Soap Box Derby
racers are going to get some outside
competition this year.
One Of the latest entrants in the
local coaster race for boys is Billy
Mansfield, II, veteran Of the 1899
Derby at Boston. Mass, who moved
to Washington with his family last
December.
Billy, who lives at 6132 Thirtieth
street NV, has two prizes to show
for his efforts at Boston last year
and he's out to add to his collection.
Billy won his first two heats at Bos-
ton against the competition Of more
than 500 other boys, and as prizes
he received a medal and an electric
lantern, after he was eliminated In
the third round.
One phase of the Washington race
is going to be a new experience for
the former Boston Derby racer, but
he expects to take it in stride. That
experience will be the running of
the race over city street. At Bos-
ton the Derby Is run down a spe-
cially constructed wooden ramp at
the Suffolk Downs race course. The
course is only a little more than
500 feet long, while the Washington
hill usually is longer than 1000 feet.
Builds in improvements.
Billy expects the longer distance
to give him better chance and to
take advantage OF every opportunity
he is building a completely new
racer which will have q lot Of i'm
provements over his last years
model.
my racer last year rolled well,
but it wasn't heavy enough" Billy
said yesterday. I'm building it
heavier this year."
Derby Director Zeb r. Hamilton,
meanwhile, announced that efforts
would be made to make a tour of
Junior high schools in the city show
ing the white speedster that Carl
Cederstrand, jr., drove to the WASH
ington championship in 1899.
"Carls racer was one of the speed
lest at Akron last year." Mr.. Hamil-
ton said, "and boys who are build
ing for 1910 may be able to get
some good ideas on construction by
inspecting it,
Mr.. Hamilton reminded Derby en-
trants that a booklet including
many of Carrs construction hints
was available at Soap Box Derby
headquarters.
THE pamphlets are yours for the
asking" Mr.. Hamilton said. If
you want a copy, send card bear
ing your name and address to Soap
Box Derby headquarters, The Eve
ming Star, and one will be sent to
YOU
Discuss Plans for Race.
Preparations for Derby Day on
July l3, were discussed last night
by Mr.. Hamilton at a meeting Of
Chevrolet service managers. Mr..
Hamilton outlined Derby Day pro-
cedure and explained the way the
cars of the winners and losers would
be handled.
Derby entrants who want chance
to win set Of wheels or one of
three cash prizes were to meet to-
day at Langley Junior High School,
First and T streets NE, to compete
in eliminations in a quiz contest
on the Soap Box Derby rules. Col
ored entrants will meet tomorrow
at 3:3G pm. at the Garnet Patter-
son Junior High School, Tenth and
U streets NV.
The six or eight boys who know
their rules best will then appear on
a real radio quiz program on the
rules, to be broadcast over Station
WMAL. The winner will receive a
set OF wheels. Second prize will be
81 in cash, and third and fourth
prizes Will be 81 and 81, respectively
Urges Registration.
Mr.. Hamilton urged that boys
register for the Derby in order to
be sure that their cars comply with
the 1910 regulations.
go to your nearest Chevrolet
dealer" he advised. There YOU
will be permitted to fill out Derby
application blank, and you will re-
ceive a rule book. You also will re-
ceive a Star-American Legion safe
ty pledge, which must be signed by
you and one of your parents. Then,
when you have your rule book, 20
to work on your racer, and get ready
to win one of the many prizes we'll
have for you on Derby Day"
Latest Derby entrants include a
racer from Gaithersburg, Md, and
one from Chevy Chase. Derby new
comers are Cole Stratton, IA, 6403
Ridgewood avenue, Chevy Chase,
and Harry Burdette, IL, Gathers
burg.
watch The Star for Derby Neus. }