Six world champions were crowned Saturday at the 77th running of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby at Derby Downs Track.
Local Stock Champion was 13-year old Mason Breeden of Culpeper, Va. He finished with a winning time of 29.484 in the final heat. Callie Elder of Owensboro, Ky., finished second and Kylee Kirk of Columbus, Ohio, was third.
“I’m excited to win today,” said Breeden. “Being a rookie at the World Championship race made me nervous…but I feel good now.”
Winner of the Local Super Stock Division was 13-year old Emerson Minch of Cleveland, Ohio. Minch bested Brandon Kearns of Culpeper, Va., and Camdyn Shemonic of Cape Girardeau, Mo. with a winning time of 29.447. Minch is the second member of his family to take home the World Championship trophy. His sister, Maddie, was the 2012 Local Masters Champion.
“It feels amazing to win,” said Minch. “Now I’m even with my sister. I was nervous but also confident throughout the day.”
Campbell Conrad of Arlington, Mass., took home first-place honors in the Local Masters Division, out-racing Brittany Bisighini of Sanford, Fla., and Cameron Burdgick of Albany, N.Y., to the finish line. Conrad’s winning time was 29.162.
“I’ve been racing for six years and this is my third year at the World Championships,” said the 17-year old Conrad. “In my two years before this year I didn’t win a heat. I felt good throughout the day. My father, who is the Local Race Director, helped me all day today.”
In the Rally Stock Division it was 12-year old Dylan Theisen of Tallmadge, Ohio, taking home first-place honors. He beat Max Kimball of Olympia, Wash., and Jillian Smith of New Port Richey, Fla., in the final heat with a time of 29.382.
This was Theisen’s first appearance in the World Championship race. He began his Soap Box Derby career just two years ago when he joined his school’s Soap Box Derby team, which is part of the International Soap Box Derby’s new STEM education program. He placed second in the 2014 Gravity Racing Challenge STEM School race in May at Derby Downs prior to winning Saturday.
“I’m absolutely speechless,” said Theisen after accepting his championship trophy and jacket at the awards ceremony. “I’ve never been more nervous as I was racing throughout the day. It was amazing hearing everyone cheer.”
Sabrina Engleman of Troutville, Va., won the Rally Super Stock Division. The 12-year posted a winning time of 29.336 in the final heat, besting Ryan Chasse of Fremont, N.H., and Marisa Locastro of Auburn, N.Y.
“It’s so amazing to win,” said Engleman. “Throughout the day I didn’t think I was going to win. Then right before the last heat I thought I might have a chance.
In the Rally Masters Division, Daniel Raulli of East Syracuse, N.Y., beat Bailey Peterson of Bowling Green, Ky., and Hailey Frederick of Niles, Ohio, in the final heat. Raulli posted a winning time of 29.146. It was Raulli’s second World Championship victory. He was the 2011 Rally Super Stock Champion.
“I felt way more pressure to win this time,” said the 16-year old Raulli. “My friend Ricky Desens won last year, which was his second so I wanted to equal him. Today was an adrenaline rush…it feels amazing to be a World Champion again.”
Other champions crowned Saturday include Kristi Murphy of Concord Township, Ohio, in the Ultimate Speed Division, Kyle Bolen of Hanging Rock, Ohio, in the Super Kids Division and Tom Warmuth in the Mayor’s Cup race.
