Webb, Secord win Soap Box Derby championships Two secure trips to 66th nationals

BREWER – Two racing veterans each captured championships at the Eastern Maine Soap Box Derby held on State Street hill Saturday.

Mandi Webb, 9, of Holden, won the Stock Division and Tyler Secord, 16, of Bangor captured the Super Stock Division.

The two champs advance to the 66th All-American Soap Box Derby in July to compete with other national race winners and some from other countries.

It was Webb’s first year racing in the local race, but she is not new to the sport. Her older sister, Krystal Baker, won the Stock Division in 1998 and Super Stock in 2000.

Webb, who was sponsored by Bangor Tire Co., had raced in many rally races over the past year. She said she first began racing because she watched her sister race and thought it looked fun.

Webb’s race strategy was fairly simple.

“I just went to the cones,” she said, referring to the cones placed along the outside of the track where the racers think the track is faster.

Webb finished first in a field of 51 with Jason McBurnie of Holden finishing second, Jeremy Vroom of Bangor taking third, and LeAnne Hannington of Orrington placing fourth. Rounding out the top eight were Jesse Hersom of Lee, Amber Estes of Hermon, Megan Crane of Exeter, and Robert Clune of Brewer.

Racing experience paid off for Super Stock champ Secord, who started racing seven years ago when he won a stock car in a drawing through the Children’s Miracle Network and his brother won a Super Stock car.

“I race because I like the competition and all the kids are friendly,” said Secord, who also admitted that he was a little nervous because this is his last year racing and he wanted to do well. Secord was sponsored by the Children’s Miracle Network and Advantage Payroll Service.

Secord’s younger brothers also raced this year with Devin in the Stock Division and Jaron in the Super Kids Division.

Tyler Secord finished first in a 42-car field with Nick Thomas of Hermon taking second, Andrew Crosby of Hermon finishing third, and Katie Chambers of Brewer placing fourth. Rounding out the top eight were Matt Walker of Carmel, Angela Patterson of Brewer, Ryan Thomas of Hermon and Steven Carignan of Steuben.

This year’s derby also featured a Super Kids race for special needs children with the winner, Jaron Secord of Bangor, also advancing to the first National Super Kids Classic Soap Box Derby in Arkon, Ohio.

Past derby champs Alayna Farley, Kari Walker, Krystal Baker and Erik Vroom drove the Super Kids down the hill in oversized derby cars and the winner was drawn at the end of the day.

Super Kids participants at the Brewer race were Amanda Mooney of Brewer, Brandon Rossignol of Levant, Tarik Stokes of Bangor, Corey Tardif of Brewer, Jonathan Beale of Bangor, and Nick Vaughn of Levant.

There were also several special awards presented at the race. Super Stock drivers Steven Carignan of Steuben and Anthony Sullivan of Bangor won the Sportsmanship Award, which is presented to drivers who have a history of good sportsmanship not only on race day but throughout the year.

Other award winners were: Workmanship – Brandyn Tozier of Bangor (Stock), Aaron Jellison of Hermon (Super Stock); Best Decorated – Timothy Bouchard of Bangor (Stock), T.J. McCormick of Brewer (Super Stock).

Nichi Farnham of Bangor defeated Gail Kelly of Brewer in the mayor’s race and also received the traditional speeding ticket from the Brewer Police Department.