Evening star., 1941-08-17
District Victor Ready
For Akron Soap Box
Finals Today
Gene c. Beon's Racer
Called One Of 10 Best
| Among 100 Entered
BY CHRIS A. MATHISEN,
Star Staff Correspondent.

Soap Box Derby champion, went to
bed tired but confident tonight, after
a strenuous all-day schedule during
which he piloted his trim racer
down the slope at Derby Downs and
found its performance excellent.
Another circumstance heartening
to the capital entry in tomorrow's
national finals was Director j. P.
Gormleys appraisal of his coaster
car. After inspecting the more than
100 boy-built racers entered. Mr..
Gormley pronounced Genes 'one of
the 10 best"
The trial runs over the official
course established that his crea-
ton was among the speediest being
readied for competition. Only one
car at time was sent off the start
ing ramp. but unofficial time checks
showed Genes to be worthy of
serious consideration as a final
victor.
Broadcasts Scheduled.
The Washington boy will attend
champions luncheon shortly
before noon tomorrow in the May
flower Hotel and be taken to Derby
Dowrs Immediately thereafter. At
II 80 pm. closed" meeting for the
| city champions will be held at the
top of the hill. No parents or other
escorts will be near when Gene and
the other young drivers get their
| final pre-race instructions.
A parade will start at 80 pm,
and at 2:l5 pm, the first three cars
taking part in the national finals
will be sent down the track BY 5
pm, the 1941 national and inter-
national champions probably will
have been determined.
The following broadcast periods
have been scheduled by Washington
radio stations: VOL, 1:30 to 2 pm.
and 4:30 to pm, and WRC, 4:45
to 5 pm.
If Genes expectation Of winning
the top award is fulfilled, he will be
the hero tomorrow night at BAN
quet in Akron Armory at which the
national champ will be awarded a
four-year scholarship to the COL
lege of his choice. Gene will be
called to the platform for a presen-
tation, however. Each city victor will
be given wrist watch. in addition
to whatever additional prizes he
will have garnered during the after
Moons racing.
Thinks Only of Trophy.
Indicative of Genes self-assur-
ance was his comment when his
father, Preston C. Bean. called his
| attention to the midget motorized
automobiles which are the third
and fourth national awards.
"Oh, I'm not interested in them"
he said, almost scornfully. I'm only
thinking about that Dig trophy and
the scholarship
His competition in the first heat
will consist of Carl D. Price, repre-.
senting Bloomington. Ind, and Je.
rome ]. Chapman of Juneau, Alaska.
Jerome is one of four boys from
outside the United States on hand.
| The others are James Drayton, To-
ronto, Canada; Douglas Bone, Belle
vile, Ontario, and Eduardo Ben
| ton. Mexico. D. F. James and
Douglas are scheduled to partici-
pate in a special race to select the
Canadian winner. who then Will
meet Jerome, Eduardo and the
United States victor for the inter-
national title.
Gene was having the time OF his
life as he awaited the all-important
test. In the exclusive Champions
Club" at the hotel, he struck up
acquaintanceships with dozens Of
other local winners. Much of his
time was spent with his roommate,
Robert Peters of Washington, Pa.
Goes Over His Racer.
When he weighed in at the course.
he found he tipped the scales at
IL pounds less than at the time
of the Washington Soap Box Derby.
July u. His father attributed the
drop to Akron high life" but Gene
assured him he would regain the
poundage by race time.
Before taking part in the trials,
Gene made a thorough examina-
ton of the most important part OF
his car, its wheels. He looked
about from time to time to make
certain. no one was about to push
another racer against his precious
vehicle. Baby Bntzkrieg" was in
perfect condition, however, It's
racing numerals, Ill, had been at
tached.
After the test runs, the boys were
hustled into special buses and taken
| to Camp Y-Noah, where an out.
door entertainment program and
dinner were provided. Next, they
went to the Rubber Bowl, sta
dunn adjacent to Derby Downs,
where a combination patriotic re-
dedication program and show was
presented. Dressed in his official
champion garb. Gene watched
midget race. acrobatic acts, an ex-
hibition by the Akron Fire Depart
ment, track and field events and
drills. Music by four bands, songs
by Miss Mary Van Kirk of the
Metropolitan Opera Co., and fire.
works display were among the other
features.
I'm not getting to see him at all,
but that's as it should be here
Mr.. Bean said.
Meets Wilbur Shaw.
At late hour tonight, Gene was
in the midst of a heated bull ses.
session. in the champions quar-
ters, arguing about the relative
merits of various designs represent
ed among the racers entered.
The full program arranged for
the young visitors. who have TAX
en- over" the rubber city. left the
Washington boy with little time
for homesickness, even if he had
been so inclined. He saw home
folks frequently, however, for a
sizable Capital delegation was in
Akron. In addition to Mr.. and Mrs.
Bean. the group included zeb T.
Hamilton, director of the Washing
ton Soap Box Derby; his family
and numerous Washington racing