Racing... the tradition continues with participation in the Soap Box Derby

When you are an 11-year-old boy, with a dad, grandpa, and uncles who have all been stock car drivers, 16 and a driver’s license can seem far away. That is the case for Damon Gilland of Dellroy, who dreams of following in his father’s footsteps. But thanks to the Soap Box Derby and the encouragement of Derby volunteer Jim Zurfley, Damon has been able to get a jump start on his racing dreams.

Zurfley contacted Damon’s maternal grandmother, Fran Haney, on Saturday, June 25, one day before this year’s local Soap Box Derby, explaining that there was a driver who had to drop out – would Damon like to take his place?

Damon’s answer was a definite ‘yes’. So Zurfley provided him with a helmet, a car, and a few turns around the parking lot, and that was the youngster’s induction into the world of racing. Saturday night, Gilland found himself unable to sleep.

“This is my first time. I couldn’t sleep because I was so excited. I woke up at 2 a.m., and I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn’t. I called my grandma at six in the morning,” he said, as he waited anxiously for the racing to start early Sunday morning at Schoenbrunn Village in New Philadelphia.

“Damon’s a fill-in. He’s checking it out, but he wants to do this, for sure,” noted Haney.

“I got to sit in one of the cars and just be pushed around on the pavement, but that’s all. This morning I’ll have my first practice race. I hope I win some,” commented her grandson as he anxiously shifted his feet back and forth.

He didn’t have to wait long. Soon, Damon was hunched down in the black car with its orange and yellow flame motif, racing glasses and helmet firmly in place, ready for his first trial run. He looked like a natural as he waited on the platform for the starter’s signal. Moments later he was smoothly sailing down the 650-foot slope while his family cheered wildly.

“Our whole family raced all our lives. I raced until about 10 years ago,” said Damon’s father, Mike Gilland Jr., as he waited for his son to return to the top of the race hill. “I think it’s great that Damon’s doing this. I’m proud of him. I’m excited to hear his reaction to his trial run. I know he’ll like it.” The older Gilland admitted he was already thinking about plans to help his son with his new passion, including purchasing a car for Damon and painting it together in their family owned body and paint shop.

Soon, Damon Gilland was back on the hilltop, a wide grin splitting his face. “It was fun, and awesome!” he exclaimed. “I can’t wait until I race. Going off the ramp was kind of scary, but starting to go down was great. I’d like to do this for a long time. I’ve tried it now, and it’s cool,” he chatted excitedly.

Damon is one of thousands of youth across America who participates in Soap Box Derby racing each year. Alicia Hall, herself a racer for eight years and now a race volunteer, explained that the local race has been going on for more than 50 years, and is looking toward some major improvements in the future.

“We are looking to build a track in Bolivar with their new park going in,” said Hall. “That way, we can hold Rally Races throughout the year, which are open to any youth. There are many Rally Races throughout the season, so they can get points that way to go to the finals in Akron. That is a good fundraiser for the program, because all of the entry fees go right back into our local derby, to help keep it going.”

To learn more, contact Derby director Tim Hiller at 330-343-9621, or at tuscsbd@hotmail.com. The All-American Soap Box Derby website is http://www.aasbd.org.

After a day of great racing, the results are in:

Stock division:

First - Kayla Polka, 10, of New Philadelphia. Daughter of Brian and Jessica Polka and Trisha Cox.

Second - Hunter Armstrong, 10, of Dover. Son of Ryan and Edie Armstrong.

Third - Nathan Ortiz, 8, of Dover. Son of Cindy Czerepak.

Super Stock division:

First - Alex Denney, 10, of Dover. Son of Dave and Nicole Denney.

Second - Jacey Thomas, 13, of New Philadelphia. Daughter of Brian and Jessica Polka and Chad Thomas.

Third - April Blackwell, 13, of New Philadelphia. Daughter of PJ Blackwell and granddaughter of June Blackwell.

Masters division:

First - Dylan Wilkerson, 15, of Moundsville, W.Va. Son of Fred and Brenda Wilkerson.

Second- Quinn Myers, 14, of Bridgeport. Son of Matt and Kathy Myers.

Third - Emily Denney, 16, of Dover. Daughter of Dave and Nicole Denney and Jean and Kevin Raab.

The first place finishers will compete in the 74th All-American Soap Box Derby on Saturday, July 23.