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By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008
The All-American Soap Box Derby set a record Tuesday as more than 600 race cars were brought to the top of Akron's Derby Downs for the annual inspection and weigh-in day.
Derby General Manager Jeff Iula said the previous record for the most cars at Derby Downs Topside was 556 in 1959, when his father, Ralph Iula, was race director.
''This year there were 538 regular cars [stock, super stock and masters] and with the ultimate speed and handicap cars, there were 608 here today,'' Iula said.
Tuesday's inspections and weigh-ins started at 7:30 a.m. and continued until about 3 p.m. Each racer had his or her car inspected and weighed, brakes checked and an official photograph taken.
''We break it up into two groups — rally and masters first thing in the morning and then stock and super stock later in the morning — so that we don't have 600 kids here at one time,'' Iula said.
The racers return today for their one practice run down the hill.
After that, the cars will be put in the barn in the order that they will race and impounded until Saturday.
In the comics
Andrew Weaver of Owensboro, Ky., is back at the All-American with two new sets of Garfield comic strip panels on the sides of his car.
Andrew, 14, who will be a high school freshman next month, used Garfield panels in 2006, when he won most original decoration in stock. He won his local race in Owensboro that year, but lost his first race in Akron.
This time, Weaver is racing in masters. He again won the local in Owensboro to qualify for Akron.
Artist Steve ''Hippie'' Miles, who works in Evansville, Ind., created the Garfield panels that feature a gravity theme.
''We've got more money [$1,000] tied up in the paint job than I do in my '66 Mustang that I drive every day,'' said Andrew's father, David Weaver.
Heading for battle
Alexis Vorhees of Martinsburg, W.Va., knows it's impossible to sneak up on anybody in a race, but she still likes the look of camouflage.
That's why her No. 40 racer in masters is painted that way. Her uncle, Jeff Edwards, and her father, Jeff Edwards, did the paint job.
Alexis' car also features a picture of Jesus on the top of the hatch in front of the driver.
''I'm a Christian and I believe that Jesus is looking out for me,'' said the 15-year-old who will be a high school sophomore this fall.
Another car with a combat theme is being driven by Ian ''Boomer'' Wilson of Massena, N.Y.
His No. 41 masters car, which is done in a base color of pale green, features a shark with huge teeth on the nose and machine gun barrels painted on the top.
Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.
The All-American Soap Box Derby set a record Tuesday as more than 600 race cars were brought to the top of Akron's Derby Downs for the annual inspection and weigh-in day.
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