Evening star., 1941-06-19
Two Soap Box Derby
Pilots Build Racers
In Basement Shop
Ed Howard Is Veteran,
Edgar BeekIey NeweomeI
In Toy Auto Classic

Two Soap Box Derby entrants,
one veteran of last years coaster
race and the other a newcomer, are
building their little cars amid dozens
of ship and airplane models in a
basement shop at 932 T street NV.
The experienced contestant is Ed
Howard, Is, who won three heats
in 1910. The first-timer is Edgar
Beckley, 13, SGT U street NV.
The cellar of Eds home serves as
headquarters for a group of boys
who are active lobbyists, and there,
with plenty of tools at hand, Ed
is striving to improve on the design
of his old racer, while Edgar is
putting together his first Derby
coaster.
Few entrants can claim more
meticulous approach to the task of
fashioning a winner than this pair
Restraining the natural inclination
Of young Workmen to begin saving
and mailing at once, the two boys
first made full-size drawings of
their racers. Then, to get an indi-
cation of how the completed racers
would appear, they went to work
on models, drawing upon the large
supply of suitable materials in the
shop Ed made a rough model from
a solid block of wood. Edgar pieced
together a miniature framework,
using a scale of one-eighth inch to
the inch.
Trial Runs Set for June 80.
Not until these two steps had been
completed did they start shaping a
floorboard and tackling the prob
lens of springing, steering assem-
blies and brakes. Much work re-
mains to be done, but both boys
are confident they will have the
racers in running order for official
try-outs on the Derby course
PENNSYLVANIA avenue Sc, approx
mately between Texas avenue and
Carpenter street. The trial runs are
to be held from l pm. and pm.
June 80 under supervision OF race
officials and policemen.
Several items of motorized equip
ment are among tools available to
Ed and Edgar in the large home
workshop. Their parents, together
with those of the other club mem
bers, contributed to the cost OF
Quitting the "clubrooms,' includ-
ing a complete Photographic dark
room.
I'VE have everything but lathe
and a bandsaw," Edgar commented
yesterday, so the mothers and
fathers probably are slated to face
some persistent coaXing until these
pieces are provided.
Ed Howard will be boy to watch,
particularly, as he rolls down the
hill July II in Washington's fourth
annual Derby. Last year, he picked
up a medal for winning his first
heat, a silver cup for finishing first
in his second heat and SIS worth
of sports goods for proving best in
his third heat.
Racer Is Tear-Drop Type.
Edgar, too, will be worth second
glance, for his racer probably will
be one of the most radically designed
among those of non-veterans. 1t
will be of the ''tear-drop" pattern
and will afford the driver almost
unlimited visibility if the builder
is able to carry through his plans
for a largely-transparent front end.
Ed Howard won three prizes in
1910, but he can win many more
this time if he continues into the
later heats. Sports goods, port
able radio and bicycles are donated
by the local Chevrolet dealers. The
Washington champion wins the
M. E. Coyle Trophy and trip to
the national finals August II in
Akron, Ohio, in addition to the
awards he takes in moving toward
the last local race. Special prizes
here include two wrist watches given
by Sydney Selinger, jeweler.
Registrations for the Derby still
are being accepted by all Chevrolet