SOAP BOX DERBY FAMILY TRADITION CONTINUES

Eleven year old Kalene Powell continues the family tradition by being the local winner of the Stock division Soap Box Derby race held in Goshen, IN on Saturday, June 15th. She was one of 36 boys and girls who competed in this race in Goshen. She will join over 425 other local Champs and 100 Rally Champs from all over the world to compete in the 65th All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, July 27th.

Kalene lives in Mill Road Estates, Fort Wayne with her parents Tim and Phyllis Powell. Grandparents, Charles and Marvel Powell of the Waynedale area sponsor her racing.

Kalene is the third cousin from this family to have the honor of representing northern Indiana in the All-American event. She comes from a family with three generations of Soap Box Derby experience. Her cousin Dani Schneider was the Goshen local winner of all three divisions, Stock, Super-Stock and Masters, and was one of the Rally Champs last year that competed in the All-American finals. Dani was honored at the trophy event and joined Justin Yoder who is featured in the Disney movie “Miracle in lane Two” in handing out trophies to the champs and the race finalists. Another cousin, Shannon Neumann was the last local champ to represent fort Wayne, IN. The last race in fort Wayne was held in Franke Park in 1987.

As a Local champ, Kalene will be given the champion’s treatment throughout the week prior to the big race. It will start Monday, July 22nd with an official welcome with a police escort and greeting by the official All-American band. The week is filled with car inspections, weigh-in, and practice runs but also includes many relaxing and memorable campground activities and social events.

The 65th running of “The Greatest Amateur Racing Event in the World” will begin with Opening Ceremonies and Parade at 10:00am on Saturday, July 27th. Over 25,000 spectators will observe this event, now nationally sponsored by Goodyear.