Story by Reporter Mollie Goode and News Director Hannah Hageman
Rain didn’t stop the 19th annual Hopkinsville Soap Box Derby, nor did it stop the numerous racers and their competitive spirit.
Rain did cause a few hiccups, including a delay to the start of the racer, but ultimately 26 racers across three divisions—Stock, Super Stock and Super Kids—flew down the hill at Ruff Park. Organizer Amy Rains says they were happy to still race, regardless of the weather, and they were happy with the turnout in both racers and crowd.
She says the Soap Box Derby is about more than just race day however, as kids get deeply involved in the building, the mathematics that goes into racing in a derby car and more, teaching them valuable skills.
She says Soap Box is about building up the youth in as many ways as they can to prepare them for future success.
Rains says they’re always looking for new racers and families to get involved—if you’re interested, you can find them on Facebook through the Hopkinsville Soap Box Derby.
In the Super Stock division, Nate Crosby took first place, while second place went to Tyler Miller and TyReik Meritt took third place, while in the Stock Division, Madalyn Pace claimed the first-place spot. Second place was won by Eleanor Knight and third went to Clayton Warren.
In the Super Kids race—which is a race specially designed for children with special needs—Jeremiah Hopes took home the first place trophy, with Liam Byrum claiming second, Aldon Oldoms winning third, and then Elijah Hale coming in fourth place.