BANGOR – Sporting a wildly patterned tie and a huge grin, Frank Farrington watched alongside other city officials Thursday while workers from Bangor’s Forestry Department packed soil around a newly planted gingko biloba tree near West Market Square.

Farrington, who served as Bangor’s mayor last year, accepted the tree as his winning “trophy” for the 2005 Eastern Maine Soap Box Derby Race from former Brewer Mayor Joe Ferris.

“He got in the fast lane and inched me out by a nose,” Ferris said.

The two have shared a 35-year friendship, filled with lots of competitive banter, including heated high school basketball matches at the YMCA. When they were pitted against each other at last year’s derby, a good-natured rivalry between the longtime opponents was inevitable.

The two city officials each climbed into a derby car and raced down Buck Street in Bangor.

Farrington admitted that Ferris usually emerges as winner in all that they do. In 2005, the Bangor mayor presented Ferris with a tree for the Brewer community after the 2004 Soapbox Derby in Brewer.

“This is a big day in my life,” Farrington said. “It was a sweet victory.”

The tree-planting tradition started four years ago. The gingko biloba, an Asiatic tree with fan-shaped leaves, was chosen to match the others planted along Main Street, according to Dana Wardwell, Bangor’s Public Works director.

Farrington said he planned to bring his grandchildren to the site to show them his “prize.” He also emphasized the importance of the Soap Box Derby Race for children, which is offered for ages 8 through 17.

“It really is a wonderful event for kids,” he said.

This year’s Soap Box Derby Race, scheduled for Saturday, June 3, at Bass Park on Buck Street, will mark its 11th anniversary in Greater Bangor. Three winners from Bangor will have the chance to participate in the National All-American race in Ohio.

As race day fast approaches, current Bangor and Brewer mayors John Cashwell and Gail Kelly have the option of picking another person to compete in their place. Kelly was at Thursday’s ceremony.

Some have their sights set on a rematch between Farrington and Ferris.

“I think you need to return to the race track,” Wardwell joked with Farrington.