Evening star., 1940-04-30
Sd Soap Box Derby
For Washington Set
For July Is
Minimum Age Roised;
Aspironts Advised to
Rely on Rules Book

: Soap BOX DERBY Director Zeb T.
Hamilton announced today that
Washington's third annual coaster
race for boys will be held Saturday,
July 13.
The date chosen for The STAR
American Legion sponsored Derby
comes shortly after District schools
close for the summer and almost
a full month before the new Wash
ington Derby champion will leave
for Akron, Ohio, to compete in the
national finals.
The Derby is open to boys be-
tween IL and IS years old. inclusive,
who live in Washington. or nearby
communities in Maryland and Vir-
ginia. Last years champion, Carl
Cederstrand, jr., II. lives in WASH
ington. but the 1899 runnerup,
Clark B. Stewart, IA, lives in Chevy
Chase. Md.
Minimum Age Raised.
One of the chief changes in the
1910 rules places the age minimum
at II years instead of 10, the mini
mum in 1899.
Mr.. Hamilton emphasized that
under the minimum set for eligi-
bility for the race on July 13, boy
must have attained his llth birth
day anniversary on or before the
day of the race. Similarly, a boy
who mas his 18th birthday ami
versary on or before July l3 will not
be eligible.
Mr.. Hamilton cautioned boys who
already have started to build their
Derby racers not to get too far
ahead with the construction work,
but to wait until the 1910 Soap Box
Derby rule books are ready for dis
tribution.
The books should be available
at the Chevrolet dealers sometime
this week." he said. "We will make
an announcement in The Star and
over Radio Station WMAL as soon
as the books are ready for distribu-
ton. and registration is possible
Until then, 60 slowly, so that you
don't have to do anything over to
conform with rule changes
Allowed to Buy Wheels.
Under the rules of the Derby,
boys who enter the race are required
to build their own cars. being per-
mitted to buy factory made wheels
and axleS. Total cost of the car
must not be more than $40. and the
rules prescribe certain restrictions
as to weight and dimensions.
The entrants are permitted to re-
ceive advice from their parents and
from shop teachers, but every bit
Of construction work must be done
by the boys themselves.
For the winner of the Washing
ton Derby. The Star will provide a
trip to the national finals at Akron,
Ohio, where the champion will meet
other city champions from all over
the United States, and have
chance to win four-year scholar
ship to the State university of his
choice-grand prize for the national
champion.
Norman Rocca, 1893 champion.
and Carl Cederstrand will tell
about their trips to Akron in
radio broadcast over station WMAL
tomorrow at AIS pm.
Mr.. Hamilton and Bill Coyle. ra-
dio director of The Star, will talk
with the boys during the 15-minute
broadcast.
Prizes for Heat Winners.
Every boy VINO enters the Wash
ington race will receive something
to remind him of one of the most
exciting times of his young life. In
addition, each winner of the elimi-
nation heats receives a prize.
In last years derby. Carl Ceder-
strand guided his streamlined white
Speedster down the Massachusetts
avenue course time after time until
he finally emerged as champion.
Carl succeeded Norman Rocca as
Derby champion for the National
Capital. Norman having won the
1888 race on slope down New
Hampshire avenue NE, outlasting
225 other contestants in a driving
rain.
Mr.. Hamilton said that the loca-
ton for the 1910 derby will be an
nounced at later date. but prob
ably would not be held at either of
the two previous sites.
~ fnh n