Dates announced for annual Soap Box Derby

The 12th Annual All-American Newport Lions Soap Box Derby will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2007, at Easton's Beach, Newport. The rain date is Sunday, May 13. The race begins promptly at 9 a.m.

"Sponsors" of a Soap Box Derby car will give a youngster the chance to experience the thrill of racing a car in the derby and the potential opportunity to represent Rhode Island in the National Soap Box Derby held in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, July 21.

The derby is sponsored by the Newport Lions Club, with the generous help and support from the Viking Riders and Rockwell Amusements. This year's Derby will be covered live by WKTK Radio. The Cardi Brothers and Cabot Cheese will also be a part of this great event.

The deadline for applications to drive in this year's derby is Friday, April 20.

This year we have added a fourth division, "Super Kids". This new and fantastic division is reserved exclusively for kids ages 8 to 17 with special needs. Special cars will be supplied that hold two people. A driver will also be supplied to assist with the handling so that the child can experience the thrill of competing without injury.

There are three additional divisions of race cars; Stock Division, car and driver total 200 pounds; Super Stock Division, car and driver total 230 pounds and the new Masters Division, car and driver total 255 pounds.

Boys and girls between the ages of nine and 16 years old are invited to participate.

Call and sign up for the clinic and learn how to build and race a car in the derby. The only clinic date this year is Saturday, April 21, at 10 a.m. The clinic will be held at the home of Johnny Gomes, 7 Farnum Terr., Middletown.

For further information and to sign up for the upcoming clinic, please contact Dave Dittmann, at 848-5884 or by email at ddittmann@ cox.net.