Evening star., 1949-07-09
134 Coaster Racers
Compete for Honors
In Soap Box Derby
Continued From First Page)

Ill OVop DVA DCIUI
Continued From First Page)
shortly before noon for X-rays
of a foot injury received when
she was struck by a racer driven
by Fred Miller, Is, of 6253 Ritchie
road Sc. The coaster spun out
of control and struck curb where
Mrs. Thieman was standing.
Gertrude Bush, 9, of 2106
Thirty-second street Sc, was
struck by a flying part OF the
racer and was treated on the
scene for face scratches. Fred
suffered minor cuts on the neck
and shoulders.
Before Alfred Ashton registered
his leading time as a class A racer,
another veteran, Russell Sheets,
IS, of 919 North Randolph street,
Arlington, guided his red, white
and blue car, Old Glory, down the
speedway in 31.4 seconds. Russell
earlier was awarded special prize
for the most beautiful racer. -
Other Early Leaders.
Among the other leaders during
early heats was Charles Buck. jr.,
IS, of 109 Longfellow street NV,
with a time of Bis seconds, and
Eddie Diehl, IA, of 3610 Lee boule-
ward, Arlington, the first heat
winner, with time OF 31.6 sec
onds. Eddie also won the first
heat last year.
The 1949 Derby is sponsored
by The Star and Chevrolet, as
sisted by the District Department
of the American Legion.
Racers Chin Scratched.
First accident of the big race
occurred in the sixth heat. when
Chester G.. Bethke, IL, of 1919
Texas avenue Sc. lost control
of his car about 80 yards from
the finish line. Swerving across
the three-lane track, the coaster
rammed into curb. Chester was
treated at first-aid tent for a
scratched chin.
In the most sensational heat,
Cedric Egeli, II, of Valley Lee,
Md, crossed the line winner
after swerving wildly during the
entire 1,O00-foot course. After
crossing the 'line, Cedric, one of
three brothers entered in the
Derby, drew applause from the
crowd when his car missed by
inches another driver crossing the
finish marker.
Just prior to the race, the
youthful entries marched down
the course in a colorful parade
which traditionally marks the
opening of Derby Day. In the
parade order to the finish line at
Carpenter street Sc, were:
The American Legion National
Guard of Honor; open cars bear
ing District Legion Comdr. Joseph
A. Walker, Frank Murphy. jr., di-
rector of racing, and other Off
cials: the Metropolitan Police
Boys Club Band, the Class B
participants. the James Reese Eu-
rope Post. No. S, Drum and Bugle
Corps, American Legion, and the
Glass A participants.
After the parade disbanded,
Jack Broyles, 16. of 1888 Madison
street NV, winner of last years
race, rolled down the hill In the
sleek black speedster in which
he won the coveted first prize in
1948.
Gen. Moore Speaks.
Jack gave the contestants some
thing to shoot at, flashing his car
down the course in 31.4 seconds
just one-tenth of a second faster
than his time in the city cham
pionship- winning heat last year.
Brig. Gen. Ernest Moore, chief
of the Air Intelligence Division at
Air Forces headquarters here
spoke briefly in ceremonies after
the parade. Praising the derby for
the high competitive spirit and
sense of responsibility" it instills
he said he understood no boy who
has participated in the derby has
ever been arrested for juvenile
delinquency.
There can only be one winner
here today" he declared. That's
the way it is in sports. But life
isn't exactly that way. There are
many winners. Apply yourselves
hard and diligently, because a
plugger is always a winner"
Vans Arrive With Racers.
AS huge vans arrived with the
coaster cars from the District
National Guard Armory where they
had been checked, the racer pilots
began work at the starting line on
minor adjustments and greasing
THAR cars. Miniature "rrease racks