Post Race Celebration

While Chase was chillin' out at the pool with this Dylan (and his brothers) who was our Stock Champ...

we decided to take Donna and John to our favorite 'Portage County' winery...

We had a very nice evening out and I think they agree that the Maize Winery is pretty cool....We came home and took a walk on a trail Chase told us about...and he was right - it opened up to a beautiful view of the lake....
What a beautiful finale' to a wonderful week!

Home tomorrow to unpack and re-pack but we wouldn't trade our life for anything!

One and Done

If you're not familiar with how the All American Derby runs, it's a single elimination and not based on time. So - during the first heats, only one driver advances which means 2/3rds of the driver's are done. Well - Chase just happened to be in that 2/3rd mix.

Megan Carden from Kokomo, Indiana advanced which meant Chase was quickly eliminated. While it's tough to see the kids lose, Akron is very vocal about ensuring that each CHAMP knows they come to Akron as a champ and leave as a CHAMP, regardless of the results.

So many friends are made during this week. Not only with the children but with the families. It has been a very memorable week and we are honored to have a CHAMP among us.

Good Job Chase!

He moved on and is in the pool, planning the beach trip that we leave for on Monday. I must admit he's a pretty good sport and knows what it is to win and lose.

Here's some pictures from the day -

The Akron police start off the parade...All the CHAMPS 'parade' down the hill - Here's my "favorite" champ =)Chase makin' his way down the hill -it looks pretty close but Chase is actually falling behind...Looks like the 'stretching' exercises worked - he's pretty low - A heartfelt thanks to all of you that followed him throughout the morning and sent all the "good luck" wishes - It was great!

It's RACE day!

Ronnie with his 'game face' and Chase ready to go racing=) Good luck Chase Man!

Here are the heat sheets....

Race Week - Day 3

Up early again this morning (that is if you think 8:00 is early =)

Schedule for today:

Alignment

2nd Trial Run

New Wheels

Group Picture

Evening off!

Ronnie and Chase headed to "topside" at around 8:45 this morning. The alignment was almost perfect and trial run was much better than yesterday! Looks like that added weight made a difference.

Now, new wheels...his black ones are from his 2008 Akron run - what color are they this year?

white? I kinda like the black better....oh well as long as they are fast, right?Now, all packed away until RACE day! Starting to get exciting....

In 2008 Chase was beat in his 3rd heat by this young lady from Charleston, WV. She's back this year too, as a Super Stock Local Champ.

Group photo - 4:15 p.m. All the Local Super Stock Champs - that's a lot of competition, ha!

After the picture Ronnie and Chase walked the track and discussed the 'strategy', lol! At one point Ronnie had a level and two different kinds of balls to see just exactly how the track falls...

This year they actually let people tour the buildings of all the cars. Somewhat surprising - I see sabotage could be an issue =) Check out some of these paint jobs. Chase is getting ideas for his Masters car next year....looks like he needs a lot of sponsors!
The Candyland one is so cute! And here's the driver!Now, these two pictures are just for Kayden...

I'm going to leave you with this...this is what we will see Saturday morning on the hill. Kokomo girl on the left, Chase in the middle and Ashton from San Diego on the right.....who's gonna win?

Race Week - Day 2

Up early Tuesday to head over to Topside. Here's the schedule:

Picture

Brake Check

First Trial Run

Pictures are always taken at the top of the hill. Ronnie was in some - they are available to order on Sunday, after the race.

Luckily all was good with the brake check -

Now, down the hill. His first run was prior to weigh-in (and he was 6 lbs light) so the run wasn't the greatest. Weight was added now we'll see what Wednesday brings.

He did get to meet Ashton - Ashton is in Lane 3 for the 1st Heat and is from San Diego, CA.And......how low can YOU go? The lower the better - think this young lady has anything to worry about?Where is she?

Tomorrow - alignment and 2nd run down the hill.....

Dinner with the Cobb's

We have known the Cobb family for many years thanks to our sons...Cub Scouts, Baseball, Soap Box Derby, Summit Point Speedway, etc. And in 2008 Texas and Chase both came to Akron representing different Local Races to compete in the All American Soap Box Derby Race. They competed against each other, but neither trophied.

This year both boys are here again - Chase in the Super Stock Division and Tex in the Masters Division. GOOD LUCK Tex and Chase!

We decided to get together last night for dinner at the campground and had a great time. It's funny how you have to be 'out of town' to get together yet we live so close. That's just the way it happens these days with everyone being so busy!

By the way - Greg is standing on a hill, lol! He's really not that much taller than the rest of us.

Race Week - Day 1

Monday IS absolutely royal treatment for the CHAMPS!

We made our way to downtown Akron by 7:30 a.m. to stand in line for Champ Check-in which started at 9:00. There really is no organization to the line.....just shear chaos with balls floating, buttons being traded and tons of t-shirts proudly showing winners names, cities and anything else important to these champs! The local Akron champs even come in a limo - wow!

There are police officers everywhere but this one is such a good sport! We have a picture of Chase with her 2 years ago, too =)

As we stand in line, we keep our fingers crossed that Chase's car gets VIP. Basically what that means is that during inspection of the Champ's car, everything is PERFECT! This also gets the driver and his car handler 1)special treatment, 2)a blue VIP badge that is worn all week, 3)more free time and 4)recognition for having a car with NO issues!

Ok, check in starts...they make their way up to the front .....it's their turn - see the anticipation as they wait for his name to be found and see if it's VIP?and.......YAY! Actually both cars from our Local Derby received VIP Status so "nice job Ronnie"!

Now it's time for his police escort to Canal Stadium - too cool!He's greeted and congratulated by several AASBD Officials...

Now, up on stage....time to sign the All American Soap Box Derby book..Now - here's what the crowd loves!! Throwing out all his goodies
And here's the bracket - Wow - that's a lot of heats - with a lot of drivers. He drew lane 2 and runs against a girl from Kokomo, Indiana and a boy from San Diego, CA.

VIP's get to attach their shell on Monday afternoon -So let's get in there and get it done!!Each Champ gets a bag with 'gear'. Three CHAMP shirts to be worn during the week, a sweatshirt and this year a watch! Pretty nice, huh?We headed back to Canal Stadium for an Akron Aeros game...there was a parade of Champs..and then there's Orbit, lol!I think you agree Chase had a pretty busy day - but what a wonderful experience for these CHAMPS!

Tomorrow is day 2 - a much lighter day but stay tuned!!