Fri Feb 10 2012
by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
July in Summit County means a lot of things to local kids.
Things like fireworks, swimming -- and most importantly, no school.
But for some local teens, late July means serious business.
It means getting a chance to race in the biggest little race in the world.
Northern Summit County will once again be well-represented when the 73rd annual All-American Soap Box Derby takes place July 24 at Derby Downs in Akron.
Race Week activities are underway in Akron and will continue through the derby finals July 24. First heat for the AASBD will be 9 a.m. July 24.
This year, racers from the local area competed in the Akron Suburban Derby to qualify for the big race. The Suburban derby took place June 12 at Derby Downs.
According to Terry Anaszewicz, local race program director for AASBD, there were plenty of racers from the area formerly covered by the North Summit Derby, but budget concerns forced North Summit to merge with the Akron Suburban race. The Suburban race previously covered southern Summit County and all of Stark County.
That increased competition hasn't lessened the local presence at the big race.
After winning the stock division last year at the North Summit derby, Tallmadge resident Laura Geer, 14, is back, this time as the Akron Suburban super stock champion. Munroe Falls resident Holly Underwood, 16, will represent as Akron Suburban masters champ.
The local area also will be represented in the rally portion of the derby.
Local rally racers include: Veteran Nicole Stout, 15, of Sagamore Hills, in the rally masters division; former local champion Shannon Hoffman, 15 of Stow, in rally masters; former local champion Allison Bates, 15, of Twinsburg, in rally super stock; and newcomer Freddie Atchison, 12, of Cuyahoga Falls, in rally super stock.
Rally racers travel to different soap box derbies to accumulate points based on how they race. Racers must accumulate 180 point to receive an automatic berth in the AASBD. The rally champs will represent Region VI, which includes all of Ohio and West Virginia.
The local area participants will also get to open the race the festivities on race day, Kristen Anaszewicz, 16, of Cuyahoga Falls will race an experimental Ultimate Speed racer down the track right before the competition starts.
Racers carry
on family traditions
Underwood will make her first trip to Derby Downs, but success in the Soap Box Derby goes back three generations in the Underwood clan.
Father John Underwood was a local derby champion in 1976 and '78, as was his father in the 1940s.
"My other two daughters have also went to Akron as champs," Underwood said. "We've got a long list."
Holly has been racing since she was 11 and is ecstatic to get her chance at the big hill.
"I'm very excited because I finally got there," Underwood said. "I worked so hard for it. My goal is just to win one heat. Anything after that's a bonus."
Stout is hoping her third trip to the AASBD is the charm as she is searching for her first heat win at Derby Downs. After earning 196 rally points in masters, Stout said racing never gets old, but she's hungry for victory.
"The competition is nice," Stout said. "I have a feeling I'll do well this year."
Geer has been racing since the age of eight. She hopes she can race her way to the trophy after finishing third in the stock race last year in Akron.
"It wasn't a big deal. It was really easy," Geer said of the transition from stock to super stock. "I want it bad this year."
After reaching Derby Downs as a local champion last year, Bates accumulated 184 points in super stock rally to earn her third trip to the AASBD.
"It's a little different, but there's not that much different [from the local race]," Bates said.
Bates said her goal for the AASBD is simple.
"I'm hoping to go all the way," Bates said. "It all depends on what wheels I have, what time of day it is. It just all depends."
Hoffman also makes the jump from local to rally champion this year, as she looks to continue a long history of success at the derby with her family. Hoffman finished in eighth place in last year's local masters race, while brothers Jim and Kevin raced before her.
"We're really excited about it," said father Mike Hoffman. "Last year was a nice surprise and hopefully we'll do it again this year."
"I'm hoping I do well," Shannon Hoffman said. "Both divisions are going to have good racers in them."
Hoffman said her big brothers are all over her, making sure she carries on the family name at the derby.
"They're saying 'The pressure's on, Shannon, because you're the only one there," she said.
Atchison joins another long family history of derby success. Big sister Katie Atchison reached Derby Downs five times in her racing career and finished second in rally super stock last year in her final race.
Father Bill Atchison said his son is benefiting from his daughter's experience.
"It's his turn now." Atchison said. "They raced a couple years together in the same class. They never got to race each other. She's been helping him. He respects that. He's driving just as good or even better than she was at his age.
Freddie Atchison said he's anxious to get to Derby Downs but needs to keep his cool.
"It feels really good," Freddie said. "I have to look at it like it's just another race or I'll get really nervous."
E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113
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