Wheels and dreams

[Times photo: Mike Pease] Keith Simmons, left, drives against fellow 10-year-old B.J. Monroe in an elimination race of the Tampa Bay Soap Box Derby held Saturday at the University of South Florida. Ten drivers competed for the chance to advance to the world finals in Ohio.

The return of the Soap Box Derby to Tampa Bay has racers cruising for victory and sportsmanship.

By MELANIE AVE

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 4, 2000

TAMPA -- On Saturday, nervous boys and girls racing in the Tampa Bay Soap Box Derby dreamed the dreams of A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti. They wanted to cross the finish line first and become a world champion.

But unlike their legendary racecar counterparts, these young drivers worried about going too fast in their hand-built cars as they coasted down a sloping roadway on the University of South Florida campus.

"I'm a little nervous about the hill," admitted Keith Simmons, a Westshore Elementary fifth-grader, before the race. "I might go real, real fast."

While 20 mph might not be real, real fast, it seemed that way to the 10 boys and girls in the derby.

Saturday marked the return of the amateur car race to Tampa after a 31-year absence and offered a glimpse into a past era, before children's lives were dominated by television and computer games.

When it was all said and done, 9-year-old Daniel LoCicero walked away with a first-place trophy and a chance at becoming a world champion soap box derby driver. He won by less than a second over Tyler Feverston.

"It was cool, fun," Daniel said afterward.

A Cub Scout and home-schooler from Brandon, he will represent the Tampa Bay area July 22 at the All-American Soap Box Derby world finals in Akron, Ohio. He will compete for scholarships against 350 other derby winners worldwide.

[Times photo: Mike Pease] Soap Box Derby regional director Norm Perry weighs Keith Simmons' car before the races. The children helped build the cars, which could not weigh more than 200 pounds.

"I think he's in shock," said Daniel's father, Tony. "It was almost like a photo finish."

Organizer Tony Holbrook said next year's race will be bigger and better. Goodyear already has agreed to sponsor it.

The South Tampa Chamber of Commerce promoted the derby, which aims to teach children workmanship, the spirit of competition and perseverance. The cars were sponsored by local companies, and children ages 9 to 16 were placed behind the wheel.

The children helped build the cars, made from kits that cost about $425 each and are held together by bolts and screws.

The cars with their drivers inside could not weigh more than 200 pounds.

Before the derby began, 10-year-old Keith Simmons waxed his fiberglass stock car sponsored by the Hyde Park Rotary Club and slowly ran his hands over its smooth exterior.

"I'm feeling great," he said, glancing and nodding at Rotarian Mike McMulty.

Keith leaned over and whispered: "He told me a secret how to win. Keep your head low."

But competitor Henry Hahn V wasn't focusing on winning, even though he was well-versed in the racing techniques.

"I've been thinking a lot about winning or losing," said the Westshore Elementary School student, who was driving the Seminole Electric Cooperative car called Shark. "It doesn't matter. It's just for fun."

Soap Box Derby regional director Norm Perry weighed each child and car before the race. Race announcer Leigh Humes handed out doughnuts to the drivers and warned the spectators lining the raceway: "Please be aware, these are first-time drivers. If you're sitting in a chair, be ready to evacuate in case of an emergency."

And Tony LoCicero, an assistant race director, gave the drivers a few last-minute instructions. He told them to drive in a straight line, ignore the driver beside them and brake only after crossing the finish line.

And one final word, LoCicero told the drivers, each wearing a plastic helmet. "Remember to say to the other driver, "good race.' "

Keith Simmons walked to his car and looked at Henry Hahn, "Good race, Henry."

"Good race, Keith," Henry said.

And then it was time for the Soap Box Derby to begin.

-- Melanie Ave can be reached at (813) 226-3473 or melanie@sptimes.com.

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