Racers Hit Derby Hill

The Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby celebrated its 29th running this year, and their fifth running at Partin Park on the new Derby Hill. The weather on Saturday was great for racing with lots of sun and dry conditions. The SuperKids were spread out this time over the one day event giving them the chance to head down Derby Hill. There were also nearly 50 cars that participated in the Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby across the Stock, Super Stock, and Masters divisions.

This year with just the one day event the SuperKids got the chance to go down the big hill during breaks in the normal race day. This division is made for special needs kids. They get the opportunity to ride down the hill in a tandem car with an experienced driver at the helm. There were not as many participants as there will not be a SuperKids race held in Akron, OH, this year due to COVID. This year's winner of the SuperKids race was Mason Wilt.

This year there were again three different divisions that raced down the hill with the Stock, Super Stock and Masters all vying for their chance to head to Akron. The numbers overall were also down across the three divisions due to COVID, but a total of 46 cars took to the hill on race day.

There were again a lot of familiar names that worked their way toward the finals. In the Stock division Noah Gordy finally broke through with a win after several years of coming close. He won by the differential of just .091 seconds. He beat out Quinn Driggers in the finals, another familiar last name at Derby Hill. Roper Dixon took third place, and Dalton Gibbs came in fourth place in Stock.

For the Super Stock division we saw Alexis Head get the win. She beat continued from page

Aidyn Driggers in the finals by the slim margin of just .014 seconds. Aidyn had taken out her brother Cash in the semifinals to make it to the final race. Cash took third place, and Colton Clifton came in fourth place.

In just the second running of the Masters in the local race, Alyssa Head earned the top spot as she defeated Emma Waters in the finals by a differential of just .049 seconds. Solan Swanson took third place, with Manuela Salinas coming in fourth place.

Race Director Matt Driggers said, “Today was an awesome day. Great weather, great participation, from top to bottom it all went great. Proud of all of our Champions we had today, and we are going to take our three Champions to Akron. We are taking some good ones, and will be disappointed if we don't come home with some World Championships.

“We have to thank all of the sponsors for all that they do, there are just so many of them. Because of them all of these kids race for free, the winners get the checks to help with travel and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. We also have to thank all of the volunteers that put in so many hours getting everything ready, and then of course after everyone else leaves they stay around to help clean it all back up. We have a great group of people that do so much for all of these kids.”

Masters Champion Alyssa Head stated, “I just worked hard and believed in myself today. We had a good car and I had an amazing person help work on the car this year. His name is Roy Garin from Atlanta, and I probably wouldn't have won today without his help.”

Super Stock winner Alexis Head added, “I just had more motivation this year, and have had a better attitude than before. I am excited to get to Akron and get to see all of the people from all over the world. I want to thank my family, Mr. Driggers, and Mr. Garin for all they do.”

Stock Champion Noah Gordy said, “It felt good to get this win today, and I wouldn't be here without my dad. I have heard that Akron is a lot of fun and I'm excited to get to go. I want to thank my family cause I wouldn't be here with a check and a trophy taller than me without them.”

Masters Winners – (L to R): Emma Waters, Champion Alyssa Head, Solan Swanson,and Manuela Salinas.Photo by Mike Branch

SuperKids Winner – Mason Wilt.Photo by Mike Branch

Stock Winners – (L to R): Quinn Driggers, Champion Noah Gordy, Roper Dixon, Dalton Gibbs, and Director Matt Driggers.Photo by Mike Branch