9-year-old Austin Berkebile to compete in All-American Soap Box Derby
PERRYSBURG ? Nine-year-old Austin Berkebile had a choice of what activity he wanted to do this summer.
After his parents won the 50-50 drawing at his Woodland Elementary in Perrysburg, Berkebile?s father,
Tom, let his son choose between boy scout summer camp and purchasing a soap box derby car with the
winnings.
Austin quickly chose the soap box derby car and in a little over three months he has excelled in the
racing series so much that he will be competing at the 72nd annual All-American Soap Box Derby World
Championship July 25 at Akron?s Derby Downs.
?I told Austin you?ve got your choice of what you want to do with the money,? Tom Berkebile said. ?Austin
pretty much without taking a breath said soapbox derby racing.?
So far it seems Austin Berkebile made the right choice.
He finished first overall in the stock division at his regional race in Lima last month to qualify for
the world championships. He will be one of over 550 soap box derby racers from around the country and
the world competing in the equivalent of soap box derby?s Super Bowl.
?I feel really excited because I?m getting a chance to go to the nationals and have a chance to win a
first-place trophy in the world,? Austin Berkebile said.
Austin Berkebile?s qualification for the event in Akron has his family lined up to enjoy a busy week
before the racing even takes place. Racers and their families are scheduled to arrive in Akron on July
20 and have a full schedule planned including test runs, weigh-ins, clinics, a champions? parade and a
free ticket and recognition at an Akron Aeros minor league baseball game.
Tom and Austin, or ?A.J.? as he goes by on the race track, received their car kit in the mail in early
March and spent over a month perfecting the car?s design together. Each car must meet it?s division?s
strict guidelines and the key to having the fastest car comes down to the smallest of details and
precision of design.
?We do a lot of things together but as far as this one goes it?s good because we?re using some tools …
It does help with the communication and talking back and forth,? Tom Berkebile said. ?(Austin) told me a
couple times, ?Dad, I?ve got it.? He?s got a little bit of an attention span problem so you?ve got to
remind him to not try to do anything crazy.?
?It?s pretty fun and cool that I get to spend time with my dad,? Austin Berkebile said.
Austin will be competing against other champions from the United States, as well as competitors form
Japan, Australia and Puerto Rico, to name a few, in his stock division.
But regardless of how Austin finishes at the world championships, the hobby he just started a few months
ago is turning into a full-fledged obsession for himself and his dad, who works as an automotive
engineer.
?It?s real exciting,? said Austin Berkebile. ?I feel sort of nervous that I will lose and I?m hoping that
I can win so I could get the big trophy because it?s pretty cool … I try to go to my dad for what to
do. I follow my dad?s instructions.?
Racing soap box derby cars is usually a family affair, as kids or parents buy their own car kits to
assemble, which range in price from $200 to $400 and up.
The stock division, which Austin Berkebile competes in, is for beginners and includes ages 8-13. Each
division has weight limits, and speeds can reach up to 35 miles per hour depending on the course and
conditions.
There are no motors for soap box derby cars as they are completely propelled by the force of gravity. Who
wins the race is often determined by which car is best designed and which driver is able to adjust to
each course in search of the fastest time.
?My goal is to go straight as possible,? Austin Berkebile said. ?I?m hoping I can win it. It?s very
doubtful, but I?m hoping I can win.?
