Super Kids National Classic held at Derby Downs

AKRON, Ohio (WJW) — Derby Downs on Friday was preparing to host the 86th First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby Championship. The event draws more than 300 young racers from across the world to a place that has made lifelong memories for generations.

On Friday, however, the site was host to a race that may be among the most memorable.

The 20th Super Kids National Classic drew 38 gravity racers from throughout the country to compete in an event that gives them an opportunity to shine in spite of their challenges.

“We have kids that are fairly severely handicapped and some of them are in wheelchairs and the overwhelming majority of our kids have never had an opportunity to compete in anything organized. For many of them, this is the first and only thing they have ever had the chance to be a part of this way and it’s really special to them,” said Mike Callahan, Chairman of the Board for the National Super Kids Classic.

Competitors ride in two-man gravity-powered cars down the iconic Derby Downs hill along with a co-pilot.

“I think this year we have, for the first time, we have someone here from Nebraska, California, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Maine, New York, a lot of Kentucky and West Virginia,” Callahan said.

Ethan Auwerda is the racer here from Nebraska along with his family and friends to cheer him on.

“We first got introduced to derby through Super Kids so Ethan is now, how old are you now bud? Sixteen, and he’s been racing since he was seven and he’s one of the only Super Kids who rally races. He goes with his brothers and sisters to all of their rally races,” said Ethan’s father, Tavis.

“He’s raced in Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines. Everywhere we go we try to send him down the hill. It’s great. It’s so hard to find something to do an activity that our whole family can do together and enjoy, and everybody’s great in soapbox,” Tavis said.

Also on the track Friday was last year’s champion, Brycen Bright of Garfield Heights.

It is a race where those who attend say the participants find themselves embracing and even cheering for their competitors

Addalee Shellenbartger of Akron was returning after having previously won the Crystal Fry Award.

The award is named in honor of a former racer,  recognizing a racer who is courageous, determined,and enthusiastic, and who always looks for the positive in every situation.

“She has Pica, she has ADHD she is also going through testing for autism. When she is with all these kids she just feels like she fits in,” said her mother, Angelica Hammonds.

The top finishers of Friday’s preliminaries advance to compete for the 2024 title on Saturday.

“It’s just a great experience. It’s good for all of the volunteers. We have people who come here once and always come back,” Callahan said. “I can only say this, I get a lot more out of it than I put into it.”

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