Ohio girl, 15th member of family to race, wins at 72nd All-American Soap Box Derby

Family continues tradition at Ohio Soap Box Derby

AKRON, Ohio — Sarah Whitaker overcame rain and wind to make her family proud by racing to victory at the 72nd All-American Soap Box Derby.

The 10-year-old, the 15th member of her family to race in the national finals, was one of four girls to claim championships in the six divisions Saturday.

“It’s beyond words, but I can say I just love it,” said Whitaker, from the Akron suburb of Norton, who jumped into her uncle’s arms after climbing out of her race car at the finish line.

Other girls to win were Megan Thornton, of Cleveland, in the Masters Division; Maija Liimatainen, of Madison, Wis., in Super Stock; and Megan Hydutsky, of Pottstown, Pa., in the Rally Masters.

Two 12-year-old boys also won championships. Tyler Fleck, of Perkasie, Pa., won the Rally Stock competition, and Alex Seither, of Mason, Ohio, claimed the Rally Super Stock title.

Whitaker’s uncle Jon Underwood, who competed in the finals in 1976 and 1978, said his niece had “made us all very, very proud.” His dad, John Underwood, was an All-American champion in 1946.

Whitaker said a steady drizzle during the finals caused her car to swerve slightly.

“I don’t know if the track was wet, it was from the wind or just being in Lane 3,” the fifth-grader said. “I always like Lane 1. There’s nothing like being No. 1.”

A near-record 599 finalists, seven fewer than in 2008, competed for a total of $29,000 in college scholarships.

Liimatainen, the first All-American champion from Wisconsin, said she intends to use her $3,000 scholarship to study to become an engineer — but first has plans to return to Akron to try to win another title.

“My sister Clarissa finished third one year, and my brother Aaron was second, so this is a great feeling,” said the 11-year-old. “It’s a family thing. We just love the Derby.”

Hydutsky, a 17-year-old high school senior, won in her final year of eligibility.

She was far from the oldest racer to coast down the venerable track. Three former drivers totaling 262 years old opened the day by driving in the ceremonial Oil Can Derby.

Mike Politz, 89, who never made it out of his local heats in the 1934 race in Akron, beat 91-year-old John Frasier and 82-year-old Claude Smith, the 1941 All-American champ.

“My biggest thrill today was being called the kid in our race,” Smith said.

Politz finally found the thrill of victory 75 years after he first competed.

“It was worth the wait,” he said.

Track officials worked hard throughout the afternoon to put the program back on schedule after a one-hour rain delay in the midmorning. A light drizzle fell for the final hour of races.

Race general manager Jeff Iula said there’s never been a rainout.

“It’s the 17th time we’ve had a rain delay at the finals, not counting the little 5-minute sprinkle we had a year ago,” Iula said.

Iula estimated attendance at 16,000, up about 1,000 from a year ago, but admitted this year’s event was affected by the national economy.

“We could use some more sponsors,” Iula said. “The interest is as great as ever from kids all over the world. Hopefully, some corporations will recognize that these boys and girls are our future.”