By Marty van Duyne
PotomacLocal.com
Fredericksburg, Va. –– William Street was turned into a racetrack Saturday for The Free Lance-Star Classic Soap Box Derby.
Youngsters from around the state competed in stock, super stock, and masters divisions.
The crowds on the sidelines were smaller than usual but so were the entries in the annual race. But while spectators braved temperatures that climbed into the 90s, racers brought on the heat on the track.
Eleven-year-old P.J. Johnson of Fredericksburg took first place in the Stock Division.
Stafford veteran derby racers took two top titles. Sixteen-year-old Megan Hensley took the honors in the Super Stock Division. And 16-year-old Brandon Lohr, finished first in the Master’s Division.
The three first place winners will be heading to Akron in July to compete in the All American Soap Box Derby.
Though the crowd had reason to cheer on the first place winners, they also had reason to cheer on a local derby first.
Stafford’s Tyler Fry drove the first Fredericksburg derby car ever to be equipped with a set of hand brakes.
The 12-year-old was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at a young age and is not able to use the standard foot brakes in a derby car.
The first time competitor won his first race behind the wheel of the Stafford Sheriff’s blue Stock Division car. But he was eliminated after losing his second downhill run.
But like all the racers, Fry drove off with his derby medal.
Marty van Duyne is an award winning photographer and journalist.
