Evening star., 1949-07-10
Alfred Ashton Wins
Soap Box Derby in
4th Try as Racer
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Washington race and the Akron
race, he was allowed under Derby
rules to compete while still 10
years old. That year, 1946, he was
runner-up in class B, the competi-
ton for bows II and IL. The next
year he was eliminated IN the
quarter finals, but in 1948 came
back to fight it out all the way to
the finish line with the city cham
pion.
Shakes Hands With Opponent.
At the starting ramp, Alfred
shook hands with his competitor,
Bobby Rogers, of 5512 Huntington
Parkway, Bethesda.
Alfred seemed calm, self assured.
He grinned even wider than usual
when a newsreel camera was
focused on him. Then he con-
fidently squeezed into his racer,
flashed a smile at his rival. and
waited for the starter to pull the
lever releasing the cars.
The two cars started slowly,
picked up speed at the halfway
mark, and raced nearly abreast
until a dozen yards from the finish
line. Then Alfred pulled ahead,
and was out front by an aluminium
nose when the two cars crossed
the last yellow stripe.
Gets Trophy From Clark.
Metropolitan police, on duty all
day and now working on overtime,
formed circle around the final
lists. but they couldn't stem all the
well-wishers who crowded in to
pat Alfred on the back, shake his
hand, rub his tousled auburn curls.
Alfred's grin was nearly burst
ing past his ears as he accepted
the Chevrolet trophy for the win
ner from Attorney General Clark.
He also received a bicycle for win
ming in class A, and SIS worth
of sporting goods for winning his
semifinal heat.
Alfred's trip to Akron, and that
of one parent. will be paid for by
The Star, which co-sponsored the
race with Chevrolet. assisted by
the District Department of the
American Legion.
Youth Is Good Loser.
Bobby Rogers was a good loser.
For the second year in row he
had seen Alfred fash ahead of
him to victory. Last year. the two
competitors finished in the same
order for the class B champion
ship.
Bobby, who first built a scale
model before constructing his alu-
minum- plated car, won a bicycle
and SIS in sporting goods for his
performance.
A straight-A student at Be-
thesda Elementary School, Bobby
plans to race again next year.
'At least I won't have to race
against Alfred Ashton" Bobby
commented.
Woman Suffers Broken Foot.
One person was taken to iEmer-
gency Hospital when struck by
an out-of control coaster car
driven by Fred Miller. Is, of 6253
Ritchie road Sc. She was. Mrs.
B. l.. Thieman. "a, of 1r02 L
street NV. She was treated for
three broken bones in her right
foot.
Hard luck again dogged Russell
Sheets, Is, of 919 North Randolph
street. Arlington. Russell. winner
of a special award for the most
beautiful car, split both his cars
axles when he swerved out of
control and struck a parked car
after winning a quarter-f1na
heat.
The youth was unable to con-
tinue last year when his car
smashed into a policeman's mo-
torcycle as he was racing in the
semiflnals and lost control of his
car.
Despite frantic work by Russell,
Derby officials and mechanics of
the Shell Oil Co., the boy was
unable to complete the necessary
repairs in time to race in the
semifinals.
Adding to his woes. the officials
decided his steering mechanism
did not meet required specifica-
tions.
Russell's car was given the spe-
cial beauty award by officials at
tracted by the red, white and blue
flag motif He had painted on his
vehicle.
Four Brothers in Race.
For the first time in history OF
the Washington Derby, four
brothers were registered in the
event. They were the Amlongs-
Ransom. IS; Thomas. 13; Joe, IL,
and Billy. H. Residents of Grove
ton. Va, they were defeated as
the field narrowed.
Attorney General Clark told the
contestants that nothing can
Jontribute more to American life
chan having contests Of this
4ind."
The day-long race was opened
With a speech by Brig. Gen. Err
nest Moore Of Air Force head
quarters here, which followed a
parade of the contestants down
Derby Downs
WMAL and WMAL-FM. The
evening Star stations, broadcast
four times throughout the day
from trackside. The race was de-
scribed by Bill Coyle, promotion
director of The Star. and Baxter
Ward, of the WMAL staff. When
HAe Derby was not on the air, the
.two men donated their services in
manning the loudspeaker set up
a,cl,