Evening star., 1941-07-13
Derby
Continued From First Page.)

yellow -and-white stripe across the
pavement.
1t was a happy and excited boy
who sat in his car after the tlnals
and faced photographers cameras,
but his first thought after proving
himself and his racer the best coast
ing combination in Washington was
of the test still facing him.
when 1 go to Akron, I'm really
going to try to bring back the cham
pionship." he declared.
Protected by Police.
Scores of police, rushing into ac-
ton as soon as Gene and the runner
up, Noel White, jr, 12-year-old class
"B" champion, passed the finish line,
held back thousands of admirers,
both youthful and mature, while the
victor received his honors. His
mother was the first to reach him
after officials near the judges stand
had offered preliminary congratula-
tions. She gave him kiss and hug.
His father followed and shook the
boys hand.
I'm proud of you, SON." he said
Noel White, decisively but not
badly beaten, managed TO get
through the police Gordon, and the
two boys exchanged congratulations
Noel. who lives at 1924 Appleton
street NV. and is the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Noel r. White, had little
reason for disappointment, and he
showed none. The 12-year-old Alice
Deal Junior High School student
won the championship of the class
for boys II and II years old in his
first try for Derby fame.
Among those stepping up to shake
the hand of the 194l winner, who
bested more than 200 other boys in
the all-day competition, was Will
liam Ingle, field representative of
the national Derby Office. Mr.. Ingle
| told Gene he should be able to make
an excellent showing in the national
| finals and complimented him on
the workmanship displayed in the
racer.
Used Airplane Principles.
Gene told interviewers he had be-
gun construction of the car late in
April after having decided to in
corporate principles of airplane de-
sign he had picked up in building
aircraft models.
Referring to his elimination near
the end of the program last year, he
said:
When lost that race, was de-
! termined to win this time"
Mr.. Bean was proud of his boy,
as he told him, and it was because
! Gene had demonstrated for the sec
ond successive year his proficiency
in making things with his hands.
In the trim car the parent saw evi-
dence of an inherited skill. for Mr..
Beans trade has been carpentry.
AS he sat before National Broad
casting Co. microphones. the cham
pion tried to comply with dozens
of requests for autographs, and. at
the same time, offer coherent an
swers to Steve Douglas. the inter-
rogating announcer. He said his
racer cost him $500 to build He was
asked his weight, and gave it as 121
pounds.
Il wish it meant this much to
the teachers at school," he COM
mented while signing his name on
scraps of paper handed up to the
stand by clamoring boys and girls.
Boy Scouts helped Gene get through
the crowd. They knew he was one
of them-a member of Troop 636.
Hopes to Attend Michigan.
If Gene wins the first prize in
Akron August II. four-year schol-
arship to the college of his choice,
he will look forward to study at the
University of Michigan. he revealed
Immediately before the race de-
termining the city champion. city
semi-final, bringing together the
runners-up to Gene and Noel in
the class finals. was run off. When
it was over, John Wilkerson, IS, of
1915 Twenty-fifth street Sc, was
given third-place in the city stand
ings and Ronald Deane, IL, of Sc
@ street NE. was recorded as fourth.
1t was Johns fourth and last Derby,
because of age limitations, while
Ronald was taking part for the Sec
ond time.
Howard P. Bailey, assistant to the
managing editor of The Star, which
sponsored the Derby in cooperation
with the District of Columbia De-
partment of the American Legion.
presented the trophy to the new
champ and reminded him he also
had won bicycle.
"A bicycle! Well, doggone!" Gene
| exclaimed
Wins Several Awards.
The victor also picked up class
winner medal, sports equipment or
der, second-round cup and first
round medal in progressing toward
the final Noel won the same items,
except for the Coyle trophy and the
trip to Akron. The boys winding
up the day in third and fourth
places in the city standings won
portable radios and the other items
passed out for victories in the
earlier rounds.
The champion expressed delight
when it was announced Joseph F..
Combs, IA, 1929 Jefferson street
NV. had won the special award
of medal and wristwatch for best
designed racer. Gene indicated he
had been roofing most for Buddy"
Combs-next to himself. Bo Lamar,
jr., 13, of Manassas, Va, was award
ed a wristwatch for the runner-up
position in design, and another Vir-
ginian, Willis Poole, IS, 1910 Ninth
street north, Arlington, received a
fountain pen and pencil for hav-
ing the best-upholstered racer.
All three of these special prize
winners were among those favored
to make creditable showings, either
because of previous Derby efforts or
speedy performances in the informal
trials nearly two weeks ago. Each
accounted for several wins on the
program, but Bo Lamor did best,
moving into the Glass "a" pre-fnals,
in which he finished third.