Evening star., 1941-06-29
THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON D. G., 49,
Registration Closes
For Soap Box Derby
Al Noon Tomorrow
264 Entered in Ruce;
Cars to Get First Tests
On Course Monday

Registration lists for Washing
tons fourth annual Soap Box Derby
will be closed at noon tomorrow.
One hour later, the first supervised
trial runs will begin on the official
course, Pennsylvania avenue Sc.
between Texas avenue and Carpen-
ter street.
Last night, 264 entries in the
coaster race for boys were on file
at Derby headquarters in the Star
Building. Derby Director zeb T.
Hamilton said the final total Will
be known by midweek, when forms
for the last-minute entrants are re-
ceived. Boys who have registered
but have not received letters OF In
struction can expect them in few
days, he added.
"Our observations in recent weeks
indicate we shall see many examples
of outstanding workmanship when
the little cars line up for the racing
July 12," Mr.. Hamilton declared.
THE entrants have taken more
pains and demonstrated more inge-
nuity than ever before. The vet
Grams have made Improvements, OF
course. but we have noticed par
ticularly that the newcomers have
done excellent work. Naturally, 1t
has been impossible to inspect all
the racers in advance OF the official
checkup. but if what we have seen
represents an average, this years
Derby will set a new record for
quality of competing cars"
Two Hours for Tests.
Boy builders of the motorless rae
ers will be permitted to test them
from / pm. until 3 pm. tomorrow
on the same hill as that to be used
Derby Day. Through the cooper
alton of Maj. Ernest w. Brown, su-
perintendent of police and member
of the Derby General Committee,
traffic will be diverted while the
tryouts are in progress. The same
arrangements will prevail between
the same hours Wednesday, when
entrants will be given second
chance to observe performance Of
their creations.
1t was emphasized during the
Derby broadcast over Station WRC
yesterday that entrants are not re-
quired to attend the trials. They
have been arranged for their con-
venience. but participation is not
called for by the rules, the boys were
told. Transportation of racers to
the trials must be taken care of by
the entrants, it was explained, al
though Derby headquarters will plan
the transportation of cars to the in
spection point and to the course
after they are turned in to the CO.
sponsoring Chevrolet dealers July 7.
The radio program yesterday also
included query aimed at obtaining
a set of wheels for a Derby racer
built by a boy who had no wheels
and was unable to buy them. 1t was
suggested that veteran not eligible
to race this year, or some other boy
who had used set of wheels, might
be willing to donate them.
Committeeman Instructed.
The Derby director spent most of
yesterday making additional assign
ments to the American Legion COM
mittees charged with responsibility
for physical arrangements imme-
diately prior to and on Derby Day
He pointed out the necessity of CO.
operation by all entrants in follow
ing precisely all instructions sent
them by Derby headquarters.
Now that the big day is only two
weeks away, things are beginning to
happen in rapid succession" Mr.
Hamilton said, land the boy who
doesn't follow the schedule is in
danger of being left out of the COM
petition
The Soap Box Derby is coaster
car race for boys from II to Is years
of age, inclusive. 1t is sponsored by
The Star, in association with the
American Legion and Chevrolet. The
Washington champion is given trip
to Akron, Ohio, to represent the
Capital in the national finals, Au-
gust II, the principal prize in which
Is a four-year college scholarship.
Another pair of brothers has been
added to the list of Derby entrants
Headquarters has received the reg
istration forms of Carl Drechsler, Is
2100 Good Hope road Sc, and
George Drechsler, IA. Other late en-
tries include John I. Sacks, IL, 1479
Harvard street NV; John D. Gle
land, IA, BILL North Twentieth street
Arlington, Va; John Allen. IA, 826
Third street S.W., and John w
ChriStman, l3, 2l00 Good Hope
road Sc.