SVSBD Winners in Akron - July 2008

Follow the action on the AASBD web site at 71st AASBD. You can see the brackets, photos, and follow the action on Saturday (remember the 3 hour time difference)...
I believe you can watch the race live on MyFoxClevland.com

Saturday

We're all beat thanks to Alison keeping us there all day - she place 5th in the world out of over 130 cars! Pictures and details to come tomorrow! Veronica and Elliott did not do nearly as well but had fun and enjoyed just being there.

Friday

Friday was all Super Kids. B0th Super Kids got to go down the hill numerous times and finished just outside the final 6 - really close! Most are going to the ball game tonight and then getting a good night's rest for the early start tommorrow - first race is at 6:00AM California time :*)

Thursday

Thursday was meeting day and a free day. Some of went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some went to the Football Hall of Fame. Both the Super Kids dinner and the CFSBFA dinners allowed us to meet with the Super Kids and the other California drivers. Before going home, Veronica and Alison went and walked the track one more time...

Wednesday

Wednesday was the big day. The kids had their practice runs and their 45 minutes to align and get their cars ready. Henry Martinez had his named picked to drive in the Adult car race against 81 other lucky race parents! Pictures to come tomorrow of Henry :*)
Joe picks up Lion Sam and Super Kid Paige... Videos and pictures of their trial runs tomorrow as I get them from the other photographers...

Tuesday

Tuesday was weigh-in day. The scales were running light and we all had to take out more weights than expected. The different divisions were scheduled through-out the day. Here's some pictures of Veronica - we'll add others as I get them from the other cameras.
The kids also went to a dance and badge trading party and then studied race films until late at night after learning their lane assignments (they all start in different lanes).

Monday

Monday was check-in, parade, and VIP at the All American. Chris went up on Saturday and to check and make sure that all 3 cars and kids were awarded the VIP status for their cars. They were, so the kids all went up to Derby Downs in the morning and each had 20 minutes to re-attach their shells with just driver, one handler, and 2 screw drivers. Team Harris and Parman went in and after 20-22 minutes of heaving sweating got their shells all set (the shells wanted to ride up a little higher in the back in the Ohio humidity). Team Martinez got in trouble for having their nose of the shell too low and had to fit and re-fit the nose and shell to the judge's likings. Oh well, better to do this today than in the bussle of Friday.
Then the kids went downtown to wait in line for the parade. They received a police escort and went through a parade through the blocked off streets of downtown, where they arrive and the stage to be announced to the crowd and sign the big book. The yo-yos were a hit, but deemed too hard for the kids to throw to the crowd so they handed them out.
The day ended with the first timers orientation and awards for rally cities and rally winners. Both Joe and the car handlers were all in a drawing for the adult race, but only Henry's name was pulled. Henry has the quote of the day: "I guess I can say we BOTH got to race in the Soap Box Derby now!" You can bet we will send pictures of Henry racing Wednesday night!