ROTARY, ST. FRANCIS GEAR UP FOR DERBY

There's more to soap box racing than just rolling along in the vehicle, and some area youngster will have a shot at showing his or her skill and winning a national title this year.

The Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau already is planning for the St. Francis Medical Center Soap Box Derby, which will be May 19 on Sprigg Street near Blanchard Elementary School.

Just three months ago, a total of 41 drivers hunched in motorless cars at speeds of about 20 mph participating in the first soap box derby held in Cape Girardeau in more than 50 years.

Nine-year-old Stuart Pohl-man finished the course in an average time of 36.27 seconds to win the event. Only 1.73 seconds separated the fastest and slowest times of all 41 drivers.

"We're back for the 2001 event," said Chap Arnold, who is serving as derby chairman for the Rotary Club, sponsor and organizer of the derby.

The October event was a sort of trial run.

"It was too late to send a winner to the finals," said Arnold. "But this year the winner of the local race will advance to the All-American Soap Box Derby's national event held at Akron, Ohio, usually in August."

The course used here last year will be extended about 80 feet to make it a regulation 980-foot track.

"Moving the track uphill from Blanchard Elementary School could increase the speed, too," said Arnold. Racers at Akron usually average between 25 to 27 mph.

This year's local race is expected to see an increase in cars from 26 to about 35. Racers who already have cars will have to disassemble them and start with just the pieces.

Rotarians scheduled two racer construction clinics to help young racers and their families assemble cars. The clinics are set for March 24 and April 14, both at 8 a.m. on the lower level of the St. Francis Medical Center's parking garage. The racing program is designed for boys and girls ages 9 to 16.

Although there are three divisions of derby cars -- stock, super stock and masters -- only the stock category will participate here. Stock division car kits are available from the American Soap Box Derby at a cost of $450 and come in blue, white or red.

Other corporate sponsors are being sought to join St. Francis Medical Center to help defray expenses for the 2001 derby. Interested sponsors may contact Steve Bjelich, president and CEO of St. Francis Medical Center, at 331-5128.

The first race was held in 1934 in Dayton, Ohio, but the following year it was moved to Akron and has been there every year since with the exception of the World War II years.

Youngsters from throughout the United States and several foreign countries take part in the races.

The goals of the program are to teach youngsters some of the basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun.

WANT TO PARTICPATE?

Additional information on the soap box derby car kits and rules are avialable by contacting a number of Rotarians, including:

*Chap Arnold, 264-2107

*Rick Hetzel, 332-0388

*Martha Cassebe, 290-5887

*Steve Bjelich, 331-5128

*Ed Kaiser, 651-8403