Cincinnati sent three drivers to compete in Akron’s All-American Soap Box Derby, which actually hosts drivers from all over the world.
Kokotajlo was competing in the Local Super Stock Division and survived the first round, which eliminates two-thirds of the competitors. He survived two more rounds to get to the semifinals, where nine cars compete to set their placement in the final bracket.
Kokotajlo finished in the top three. But his final run was not good enough to beat Brianna Roth of Liberty, N.Y.
Cincinnati has had two World Champions in the Soap Box Derby, both driving in the Rally Competition. Vince Sprague, of Colerain Twp, became Cincinnati’s first world champ in 2007 competing in the Rally Stock Division. Two years later, Alex Seither, of Mason, won in the Rally Super Stock Division.
Cincinnati was one of the original competing cities for the first official Soap box derby in 1934. It held competitions almost continually until 1978. The Greater Cincinnati Soap Box Derby organization resurrected the competition in 2006 and today holds races monthly from April through October. Children ages 7-17 are eligible to race. Families who cannot afford to purchase a car kit can rent a car from the local organization.
The next area race is on Aug. 5 in St Bernard. Registration is still open at cincysbd.com.
Kokotajlo will be competing and will have his second-place trophy on display at the event.
Everett Kokotajlo, Zander’s younger brother, also competed in Akron’s All-American Soap Box Derby, in the Rally Stock Division. He was eliminated in the first round of racing.
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