Local drivers compete in national soap box derby

AKRON, Ohio – Five local drivers competed in the 64th All-American Soap Box Derby over the weekend, but none was able to steer their car to victory.

All five were eliminated from the competition after one race.

Michael Hall, a 12-year-old from Warren, may have received the toughest draw among local drivers as he had to face Chris Perotti in his race in the Masters rally division. Perotti won and eventually captured the championship.

Kyle Charest, a 14-year-old from Oxford, fell to eventual third-place finisher Dolline Vance in his first race in the Super Stock rally class.

Brewer’s Timothy McCormick, 10, was defeated by Courtney Donovan in his race in the Stock class, while 12-year-old Kari Walker of Carmel dropped a decision to Danna Thomas in her Super Stock heat.

Nicholas Lunt, 13, of Tenants Harbor fell to Jenny Norton in his Mastersr rally division heat.

Rally finalists earned points in rallies across the nation that have been held since last fall. The other contestants earned the right to compete by winning local Soap Box Derby races in their home communities. Derby rally contestants are ages 8 through 17.

More than $50,000 in college scholarships were awarded to divisional and rally champs.