Soapbox Derby winners announced
GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH/THE HIGHLANDER
Andrea Davis in the Harry Potter, left, takes on Travis Roberts in the Gravity Bomber in the 2016 Adult Soapbox Derby in Marble Falls Sunday, June 19. Roberts rode the Bomber to win first place in the High Octane Division. In the new Giant Slalom Division, Bob Roberts piloted to first and the two teamed up to take first in the Jamican Bobsled Slalom.
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
The sleek green Gravity Bomber was a big winner in the Marble Falls Adult Soapbox Derby, sponsored annually by the National Adult Soapbox Derby Association (NASDA).
With Travis Roberts at the helm it was best of the best-of-the-best, first place in the High Octane Division. In the new Giant Slalom Division, Bob Roberts rode the Bomb to first and he teamed with Roberts to take first in the Jamican Bobsled Slalom.
Dorothy Owen in Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper overtook quite a few opponents but came up first only in the Powder Puff Division.
Leon Sutherland in Blue Thunder was the ultimate winner of the Speed Division.
Charlie Myers rode the R-Bar & Grill car to All Star Division glory.
Placing second and third respectively in the major divisions were:
High Octane: Paul Wells in Holy Roller and Shaun Sides in Flintstone Flier.
Speed: Robert Hoskins in Giddy-Up and Bill Cantwell in the Home Depot car.
Giant Slalom: Melvin Potts in the Home Depot and Sutherland in Blue Thunder.
Jamican Bobsled: Potts and Cantwell in the Home Depot and Scott Cherry and Roger Rudek in Cherry Bomb.
Powder Puff: Taylor Wallis In Bad Medicine and Linda Kahaler in Momma's Worry.
The Mini-Vette created by Chevrolet Corvette designer John T. Camden and driven by Alice Gardiner took Best in Show.
Other special awards went to:
Sportsmanship Award: Roberts in Gravity Bomber.
Craftsmanship Award: Gene Nixon in Death Machine 2
Clunker Award: Tim Brandt in Unstoppable
Community Support Award: Ricky and Missy Bindseil of Ricky Bindseil Voice Production
Road Trip Award: Gary Apple who traveled from California with Mr./Ms. Potato Head
Sculpture on Main Derby Car Award: Mark Gustafson and Mark Keller in the finely crafted Rat Rod Racer
Volunteer Award: Paul Merkel in Lucky 7 (and a line of Team Merkel creations)
Crash Test Dummy Award:- Stanley Martin and Joe Nevills - Highland Haven Water Patrol
Rookie Award: Trevor Merkel in Swamp Buggy
Old-Timer Award: Howard Crenshaw in Toy Box
Build It. Bring It. Race It. Award: Ramiro Salazar in Trashy Speed, the Republic Services - Marble Falls “car”
Amelia Earhart Award: Faith Dean in Swamp Buggy
Crowd Favorite: Apple in his Mr./Ms Potato Head, rearranged to some general--if not gender--confusion by Sunday)
Superstar Award: “Finish Line Will”
"The Marble Falls Soapbox Classic is produced by the National Adult Soapbox Derby Association (NASDA), a Marble Falls-based sports association," said organizer Shannon Heep. "Special thanks to all of our sponsors that make this event possible. The Marble Falls Soapbox Classic is a true example of a Homegrown Community Event.
"Our team and our sponsors are honored to attract racers and spectators from all over the country," she said. "It was a huge success this year, with more racing and excitement than ever before!"
