I will be headed for my first time to Akron, this was my third year with many nights working late with my dad on my car, and I am finally going there. My dad told me I should be happy after winning my first heats during regionals cause that was progress from last year. Last year I got eliminated on the first round by the eventual winner that went to Akron, I was dissapointed because I was the favorite to win but that just made me hungrier. This year we worked more on the car, read more, studied more, tested more for the local race. I was not going to be completly satisfied until I won the final, it was a GREAT FEELING everybody cheering and congratulating us.

Now it's more work preparing the car for the BIG EVENT.

Derek has already given us some pointers but any and all tips will be greatly appreciated as to what to do and set up my stock car for Akron, how many pounds with the torque wrench on the kingpins, etc. We have to ship the car this Saturday and I want to do the best I can at Akron, I want to do better than I did at this years State Spelling Bee when I was eliminated on the first round; but that will also make me want it more for next year.

Thank you.

Congratulations on making it to Akron for the first time, you should be very proud of yourself. I can't offer any advice as to car set-up, that is my husband and sons job, but I can tell you to just go have a good time and experience it all. So much of the the out come of the race is based simply on luck. Who picks the right wheels and gets to run in the right lane at the right time of day. Remember two-thirds of the cars are eliminated after 1 run down the hill. Just go with the attitude of having a good time and anything above and beyond that is just icing on the cake!

I agree with Derbymom. Go to the AA with no expectations except to have fun. It is a great event and the week will keep you derby hopping. Do not forget to take in the experience of Akron. They have a great Zoo and Stan Hyatt Hall is a must see.

You can worry yourself sick about, lanes, wheels, driving and many other items, but most of this is out of your control. Concentrate on what you can control and you will be fine. Have fun and good luck.

Jerry Pearson
Father of the 2004 Master World Champ, Hilary Pearson

Okay here's my advise. If you had only one shot could you conquer ? I believe that's the start of one of Eminem's songs but it is so true. You have only one shot per division. Being fully aware of what is going on around you race day is very important. Bring your "A" game- be well rested and try for whatever heat you can get in your wheels.
This race is a good ole boy's race so know your regional director well. Every year cars are put in the ramps wrong or as I saw a few times last year they moved the back of the car and sideloaded the bearings while the child was in the car on the ramps in the most important race of their life. That was some dirty pool and they know who they are and what they did.
Akron is not fair so inspect your wheels your car. If you win your 1st heat watch your car make sure its picked up properly. The run out has volunteers who have picked cars up wrong and bent kingpins or have dropped cars. Its up to you to make sure your car is loaded correctly.
Confidence is a fierce competitor and those around it can feel its sharp dagger. Good luck .
DEREK

Adding to Derek's comments. Like I said, control what you can and do not fret the rest. This race is one trip down the hill at a time. Do not think ahead or you are done. You have to be confident but not cocky. You have to understand the game and play it to the best of your ability. It is best to stay hidden in the crowd and not stand out like a sore thumb. People who advertise they are going to win, never get close, for whatever reason. Like Derek mentioned, you win or lose this race on the ramps. You have to keep your kid calm, cool, watered, and focused. The kid has one chance per heat to win and they have to understand that it is their responsibility to make sure they are ready when asked. The race goes fast and they really move the cars through the ramps, so if you are not ready make sure you are heard. Have a routine on the ramp and stick to it. Make it quick and block out all of the other distractions. Know your Regional director well. Calibration is done on Thursday so touch base with the regional Thursday night to get the lowdown on driving the track. Have your complete plan of attack in place before Saturday morning. Review it early Saturday and then leave the kid alone. Kids are usually pretty cool, it is the nervous parents that will not shut up that make the kids nervous. For a kid to get to this point, they know the routine. This should be just another drive on a different track. No more, no less.

And most importantly, never put any stock in the results of practice day. That is an uncontrolled situation.

I thank both of you for sharing your experience, I am taking note and will follow your advise, my dad talked to the regional director a couple of days ago and he said precisely some of the things you mentioned. He said regional directors assist calibrating the track and that there are some "kids" that are or used to compete and still fit in the cars and help with calibration, he said that on one of the calibration runs there was a cake waiting for one of the girls who was making her 700th run down the hill, that this kids tell them what the car wants to do according to the lane they are in.
He said that last year he passed this information to our local representatives, but they didn't follow his advise, he told us to kind of leave the cars steering loose, meaning not to fight it and let it follow it's course as long as we stay in our lane.
Our main problem in this region when we go to Akron I think is that our track is not straight, we start from ramps going into the first turn after about 20 feet, then we have to continue steering to the right for most of the race, at the last 100 feet there is a real pronunced turn to the right with a dip that takes you almost all the way to the left lane. We have a video from the 66th AA and I can see why our past winners have had a hard time keeping their car "straight".
This year my dad and I tried to help as many people as we could during the races speccially the new or younger kids, and yes the final was against a team that acts as if they are a professional racing team and think and act as if they know it all and is a given they will go to Akron once more.
We are trying to set everything up so we can enjoy ourselves in Akron and quoting the interview with our local newspaper "I'm excited, and I'm going to try even if there are better people," said Barrera, referring to the prospect of national competitors in Akron.
Thank you, once more.

One more thing Kiera bring lots of buttons to trade. The Unalaska button is a good one to get. You come from so far away. We have a button from the 2003 Unalaska winner and will be looking for you this year.

Have a great time! See you in Akron!

Derbymom, thank you for your advise, my real name is Bianca, my parents and I have talked about internet safety and I don't use my real name on the internet, Kiera is one of my pets name. I know I will have lots of fun at Akron from what other kids have told me. My dad says that he will have the buttons orderered next week, our derby director also told us to have a lot made due to Alaska buttons being highly regarded at the Nationals. I am expereincing that now that I am on vacation down south. I am going to a University Campus track and field every day to prepare for tryouts for the coming cross country season when I enter Junior High, and the girls that I workout with can't hear enough about Alaska. My dad is in Alaska preparing the car for shipping and he says he will try to get as many local souvenirs as he can, we will gladly take some for you!

I have been to Akron a couple times and the best thing to do is make a bunch of new friends and hang out with them throughout week, it will take your mind off of the big race and you will have a great time with all of your friends.

During dance and trade night, bring little pocket fans because in the gym they put us in, it gets really hot in there and by the end of the night you could probably trade the little pocket fans for really neat stuff from other people. There is normally no dancing during dance and trade night so its mostly trade night with some music to listen to, but sometimes you see some kids trying to start up a dance line.

I hope you have a great time in Akron, i know i always do. Just remember that your their to have a great time and meet new friends and hang out with them during the week.

Don’t stress out about the race (some of it is luck), and if you lose you can always cheer for your friends that are still in.

-Chris Hagan
2006 District 8 Rally Champ (205pts)

Remember this: they give you 4 wheels and a lane so it does not matter how good you are. If the derby God is willing to bless you with a great set of wheels you can win it all. I've had the fastest car in that race more than anyone and I'd have to say I've watched them lose to cars that there was no way that would happen in a timer wheel swap race. So pull your helmet on tight put on your game face and give it all you got. I wish you the best of luck.
DEREK

Chris Hagan, what do you suggest I take to trade night? I have heard among other things that there is a day when you have a bag and throw stuff at the crowd. What should I take for what days and in what quantities?

Derbymom, thanks for your email I will send you a picture of my car so you will recognize me and I can give you some souvenirs. We can't find your familys website anymore after we changed the operating system on our computer and lost all the favorite links we had for soap box derby. Your familys website inspired us to really get into soap box derby and people in our island still comment about the cool and "fancy" PVC stand for repairs and wheel swapping that we copied from your website. We followed all of your websites advise on tools and car setup. Too bad they did away with drivers links at the AASBD site, it could still be helping people like us, we owe a great deal of the opportunity to go to Akron to shared information like yours. It is an honor that we never imagined to be able to communicate with you.

Derek, now that you mentioned that you have had the fastest car in a race, we want to build the fastest Scottie in our region for next year so we can go to Akron once more. We are going to ask for your assistance in doing so in a new thread.

Thank you

Bianca -
Thank you so much for your kind words, you don't know how much that they mean to me and my family. I am so touched to think that we had something to do with you getting involved in this wonderful sport.

You also asked about what to take to trade and throw out to the crowd at the opening ceremony. People generally try to bring stuff that represents where they are from. I know that many hit up local businesses asking for donations of items. They bring frisbees, small soft nerf type balls, T-Shirts, baseball caps, some bring candy, can coolers, water bottles and things of that nature. I know that Akron does not encourage you to bring pens or pencils because of the potential of someone getting hurt. The most important thing though, is don't forget those buttons.

Good luck to you in Akron!

Derbymom

Derbymom has basically took the words out of my mouth when it comes to getting things to throw out to the crowd and for trade night.

One thing to keep in mind, the dollar store will be your best friend when buying cheap things to give away and trade.

Local radio stations and businesses where I live hand me a box of their stuff for free, i just use the same stuff year after year from them because I have so much.

-Chris