
DATE: Friday, June 6, 1997                  TAG: 9706050218

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 04   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   44 lines

19 YOUNGSTERS COMPETE FOR SOAP BOX DERBY TITLE

When the green flag drops Saturday, 19 Hampton Roads youngsters will vie for the title of All-American Soap Box Derby champ sponsored by the Virginia Beach Soap Box Derby Association.

The second annual soap box derby, for girls and boys ages 9 to 16, begins at 10:30 a.m. at Little Creek Amphibious Base.

The winner of the race will receive an all-expenses-paid weeklong stay in Akron, Ohio, where the soap box derby championships are held.

A test run of the cars was held last weekend and everything seemed to be in order, said Roger F. Morneault, local derby director. Tonight, cars will be inspected and impounded until the race begins Saturday morning, he said.

``No one's allowed to even come close to them,'' said Morneault, who hired a security guard to keep watch over the 19 vehicles. ``Nobody wants anybody tampering with their car.''

Each driver is responsible for the $350 car's assembly, with parents overseeing the project.

The cars are identical so that no driver is given an advantage, Morneault said. Technique and a lot of luck have more to do with winning a derby than the actual vehicle itself.

Morneault is hoping that this year's race will put the area back on the youth racing circuit. Last year, eight drivers competed. This year's slate is more than double that.

Morneault formed the Virginia Beach Soap Box Derby Association last year and became an official All-American Soap Box Derby local director.

Hampton Roads' event is one of 115 qualifying races nationwide.

Once an annual tradition in Hampton Roads, derby days died in 1985 for lack of participation.

Morneault wants to bring it all back. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

WANT TO WATCH?

Where: Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, inside Gate 3 at Shore

Drive and Diamond Springs Road.

Cost: The race is free and open to the public. Free parking will

also be available. Food available.