Wet track doesn't dampen 10th Kenai Rotary Soap Box Derby Championship

Wet track doesn’t dampen 10th Kenai Rotary Soap Box Derby Championship

Light rain and a wet track didn’t diminish the turn out for the 10th running of the Kenai Rotary Soap Box Derby Alaskan Championships. The only remaining Soap Box Derby event in Alaska assures the winner of a place at the International Soap Box Derby races in Akron, Ohio. For the second year the race was held in the parking lot of the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska, “We built some ramps in front of the multi-purpose facility and the track ran all the way to the CLCA parking lot. It worked out really well last year and is a better vantage place for spectators to view the event,” said Scott Hamann, Kenai Rotarian who has organized the event and built the necessary hardware for the races. Before moving the derby it was held on Spruce St. in Kenai that led around a curve and to the Cook Inlet beach. “The new course is much more in the tradition of the Soap Box gravity racing and we can return the cars more rapidly which moves the event at a quicker pace for spectators. It also gives the kids better practice for the Akron track. It was another great race this year with 16 kids in the lineup. We had more spectators than ever it was great to have so many people cheering the racers on. As always it was a privilege to not only see the kids have fun but also to see the displays of sportsmanship and growth in self-confidence. This is the second year in a row that the youngest racer as well as one of the lightest and a first time racer has taken the championship. This year’s Champion is Gage Trent and he and his family are excited to go to Akron to represent Kenai & Alaska in July,” said Hamann. Stepping up to help sponsor this year’s Derby was GLM and Louie’s UpTown. “With XTO who was our major sponsor leaving Alaska these guys really helped us make it happen.”In an interview with the Dispatch 9-year-old Gage Trent, a Redoubt Elementary student said his neighbor encouraged him to show up for the race and having never driven a gravity racer before never expected to end up being the winner, but was very excited to be going on the International Championships. He was congratulated at the finish line by the 2015 Alaska Soap Box Champion Wyatt Walaszek. He said that racing in Akron was a lot different and more challenging, but an experience of a lifetime, “I met kids from all over world; Japan and Europe it was fantastic and I was able to win one of my races which made me very happy. It was an exciting time and I wish Gage all the best this year,” said Wyatt. “We are already looking forward to next year and know that it will be bigger and better than ever,” said Hamann.

Wet track doesn't dampen 10th Kenai Rotary Soap Box Derby Championship
Wet track doesn't dampen 10th Kenai Rotary Soap Box Derby Championship
Wet track doesn't dampen 10th Kenai Rotary Soap Box Derby Championship
Wet track doesn't dampen 10th Kenai Rotary Soap Box Derby Championship

More in News

Member Tom Tougas, far right, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism working group rejects bed tax, recommends seasonal sales tax adjustment

The document includes a section that says the borough could alternatively leave its tax structure exactly as it is.

The rescued sea otter pup looks at the camera in this undated picture, provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Stranded otter pup rescued from Homer beach

She is estimated to be around 2 months old and was found alone by concerned beach walkers.

Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers speaks to graduates during the 55th commencement ceremony at Kachemak Bay Campus on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula College leadership sees temporary transitions

KPC Director Cheryl Siemers is serving as interim UAA chancellor, while former KBC director Reid Brewer fills in her role.

Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor
First lady honors Alaska volunteers

Volunteers from Homer and Nikiski were recognized.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Middle schooler reported missing found after 24-hour search

The student was seen leaving Kenai Middle School at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The Oceania Riviera stands out against a bluebird sky at the Homer Harbor on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Over 1200 passengers from aboard the boat explored Homer throughout the beautiful day. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer tourism season kicks off with arrival of cruise ships

The first cruise ship of the season arrived April 28 with 930 passengers.

tease
‘Tomorrow — remember you are still a learner’

Kachemak Bay Campus graduated 49 students during its 55th annual commencement hosted on May 7.

Mt. Redoubt rises above Cook Inlet and the Anchor River drainage as fireweed is in bloom, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road on Friday, July 22, 2022, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Native plants provide lifeline for local songbirds

Shorebird Festival talk highlights importance of native plants.

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cleaning up the mess that’s left behind

Students from six local schools combed for litter during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.

Most Read