Evening star., 1941-08-10
Soapbox Champion
Will Race al Akron
For National Title
Gene {. Bean, Parents
And D. c. FinoIist
To Fly to Classic

Washirgtons Soapbox Derby
champion, Gene C. Bean, IS, will
leave Friday for Akron. Ohio, bear
ing the Capitals hopes of victory
IN the national and international
finals of the coaster race for boys
The motorless racer in which
Gene won the local title July II al
ready has been shipped to the Ohio
city, following final checkup by its
young builder and owner.
Gene will board a plane at Wash
ir1gton National Airport at $40 a m.
Friday. With him will be his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Preston G.. Bean, and
Noel White, Washington class A
champ, who was beaten out by Gene
in the city finals. Upon arrival of
the party in Akron, all will be
escorted to Derby headquarters in
the Mayf1ower Hotel. Gene will be
assigned quarters on a floor of the
hostelry set aside for city cham
pions and will begin the exciting
three-day program.
Big Program Arranged.
In the afternoon the boys will be
taken to baseball game and will be
permitted TO visit their racers at the
inspection point. an Akron depart
rnent store. Informal entertainment
features will be offered in the
champions club" a suite in the
hotel to which only boys competing
In the national finals will be ad-
mitted
Test runs will begin at 1890 am.
Saturday at Derby Downs. the Off
cial course. Boys will be allowed to
check performance of their racers
after a hag-raising and dedicatory
program at the City Hall A combi-
nation luncheon and drivers meet
ing will begin at 1915 pm. and at !
pm. party for mothers of the COM
petitors will be held in the Woman's
City Club When the test runs have
been completed Gene will attend an
outdoor recreation program at Camp
Y-Noah.
An evening civic program in Ak
rons Rubber Bowl will complete the
Saturday schedule.
900 Expected at Race.
About 100000 spectators are ex-
pected to be on hand Sunday for
the derby program. 1t will start
with a parade at pm. Elimination
heats start at 215 pm. At 7:30 pm.
the champions banquet will be held
in Akron Armory, the event at which
Gene hopes to be acclaimed king OF
soapboX racer pilots.
A large Washington delegation
plans to attend the national and
international final. Only the Wash
ington champion will take an active
part in the program. but Noel White
and other boys who competed here
will be on hand for the excitement.
Genes first gift in Akron will be
wrist watch. He also will be issued
racing attire. The grand prize for
which he is competing is four-year
scholarship to the college of his
choice. He will have to guide his
racer across the finish line first in
several races to bring title to the
Capital, however.
Gene Given Number liz.
Officials announced Gene would
be assigned No. 112
There will be 1T other local
champions striving for the principal
award and other prizes. Among
them will be winners from Alaska,
Canada and Mexico.
Elaborate photo-electric timing
apparatus is to be used in conjunc-
ton with a motion picture camera
at the finish line. A huge time
clock is to be installed at point
visible to virtually all spectators.
Washington's entry bested more
than 200 other boys in the racing on
Pennsylvania avenue Sc. The local
Derby was sponsored by The Star
in association with the District De-
partment of American Legion.