Evening star., 1951-06-30
Soop Box Derby
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Soop Box Derby
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finalist in last years class for boys
between 13 and Is. His sleek car.
dubbed White lightning" has
carried him through four of the
annual races.
Bobby Yates. sophomore at the
st. John DeMatha High School
in Hyattsville, flashed down the
track in a coal-black racer. This
is his fifth derby year.
Five Tied for Second.
Behind these leaders in the fast
time department were five youths
tied for the second-best racing
time, 32.5 seconds. They were
Richard E. White, Is, of 464l Ben
nett avenue Sc; Thomas A. Nap
penberger, Is, of 4435 North Sew
Ienteenth street. Arlington; Donald
IC. Fleshman. 13, of 5008 Fifty
fourth avenue, Hyattsville: Gerald
Leaberry. IL. of 5119 S street Sc,
and Dewey La Rochelle, IL. of
1887 Valley place Sc.
Another. favorite-although his
time was only 1874 seconds-was'
last years winner among class b
racers. Bob Rogers. IA. Of 5512I
Huntington parkway, Bethesda.
The elimination heats neared
an end with no serious accidents.
However, Barry Hennessy. Is,
of 1921 Conway drive. Bethesda,
received scrape burns of the back
and right elbow when his racer
swerved from the middle lane Of
the track, side-swiped another car.
and turned over. He was taken
to a first aid tent for treatment.
Autos Axle Broken.
The car of William Phillips, Is,
of 2453 Wisconsin avenue NV.
received a split axle when the
driver swerved out of control after
crossing the finish line in second
place in the 29th heat. William
was unhurt.
An accident probably was avert
ed when Sixth Precinct Pvt. j.
~. Goetz threw a body block at
Ia runaway car which was head
ing for a parked truck. The car
was driven by Herbie ,Zost,, Is. of
I1728 S street Sc, whose brake
did not hold as he crossed the
finish line a winner in his heat.
Just as the racer was about to
strike the parked truck, Pvt.
Goetz jumped in front of it.
Neither the officer nor the driver
was hurt. Pvt. Goetz was one of
a large detail of officers stationed
at Derby Downs to assist officials
and the boys.
The race heats are divided into
two groups-Class B for boys II
and IL and Glass A for those 13
to Is. Elimination heats. alter
nate between the two classes, with
semi-final run-offs scheduled for
the afternoon.
The Washington championship
will be run about S pm. between
Glass A and Class B winners. The
final victor will represent this city
in national finals in Akron or
August IL. He will compete against
149 other champions for prizes
ranging up to a 5000 college
/. scholarship.
/ The weather outlook did moth.
ing to dim enthusiasm of tht
!, racers and just before heats begar
the sun broke through the clouds
temporarily. Many of the youths
5 had covered their cars with can,
{ Ivas and lost no time in ripping
/, off the covers:
II A method of self -locomotio1
| unknown to Derby observers wa
: displayed by Albert Bozzi. IL, o
651 I street Sc. Falling bel1int
lin his class B heat. Albert drew
: roar from the crowd as HI
started jerking his body. back ant
forth in frantic efforts to gather
: speed. His efforts were in vain
however, as he came in third.
Colorful Parade Staged.
The 1851 race is sponsored b!
The Star and Metropolitan Ares
Chevrolet dealers, in cooperation
with the American Legion.
Just before the racing got undel
;; way the contestants participated
lin a colorfuI parade down thu
track, where Commissioner F
Joseph Donol1ue addressed th'
Z youths at traditional finish-lin'
ceremonies.
Mr.. Donohue praised the youth
for their skill in constructing tn
4 colorful racers and said he wa
e grateful for this opportunity" t
] exhibit sportsmanship in the con
test. Now, let's have a fast race
a clean race, and good luck t
the winner" he declared.
The parade was led by a motor
cycle police escort, and the lin
Included the District Legion's Ma
Itional Guard of Honor, captaine
lby Gail T. Judd; a float sponsore
by the area Chevrolet dealers, tn
metropolitan Police Boys Clu
Band and a motorcade carryin
distinguished guests and member
lof the Derby committees.
The stars of the show-the con
Itestants themselves wound up til
parade line, wearing their officis
Derby helmets and racing T-si1irt
1850 Winner to Demonstrate.
An extra attraction was Dav
Wrinkle, whose 31.2-second tin
j vfaoda him vyiYannr rf +1aa a0E