AKRON – Chassidy Oatman is having the experience of a lifetime at the 79th annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby this week, and it all came about because of an extra car and a little luck that earned her a trip to the famed Derby Downs track.
Prior to this year, the Columbus Grove senior never thought about jumping into a soap box derby car. Oatman served more as a cheerleader for her sister who had previously participated in the soap box derby races.
But this year at the Lima area soap box derby competition, Brian Musselman, a friend of the family, had an extra car at this year’s competition so not wanting to waste an opportunity Oatman decided to squeeze herself into the available car hoping to win one race.
Not only did Oatman collect a victory she garnered multiple ones and took top honors in the Super Stock division that paved the way to compete in the international event in Akron. Oatman, along with Taylor Miller, who took first in the Master’s division, and Emily Skinner, who took top honors in the Stock division, will be representing the Lima area at Derby Downs when the racing begins Saturday.
But the annual event is not just a one-day affair of racing. Instead it is a week-long celebration. Oatman first began to soak in the importance and fun atmosphere that is competitive gravitational racing on a larger scale Monday when she participated in the opening day activities.
She was a member of the parade of champions that began in Canal Park and traveled down Main Street in downtown Akron where participants were cheered on by family, friends and fans. The event concluded with an opening ceremony event held at the Lock 3 entertainment venue where the champions are recognized.
On Monday night, a Rocking on the Rec event was held at the University of Akron where racers could mingle with fellow competitors. More than 450 racers from the United States, Europe, Asia and New Zealand were on hand to participate in the festivities and to trade badges and other items of interest.
“That was a lot of fun and we got to throw out trinkets and stuff,” Oatman said of the opening ceremony. “There were people from Japan and New Zealand and from all over. It was awesome to meet them.”
Following the hoopla, Oatman got her first opportunity to test drive the famed Derby Downs track when she competed in the Subway Challenge on Wednesday. The race, which uses a three-lane wheel and lane swap format, gave Oatman a chance to experience the historic hill, a 989-foot racing track, specifically designed for soap box races.
“Honestly it was a lot larger hill than the one in Lima and you go a lot faster,” Oatman said.
After testing the track, Oatman said she is ready for the race Saturday but doesn’t know how she will fare.
Oatman said she hopes to do well but admits it will be a little tougher than when she competed in the Lima event. Unlike the regional races where the drivers go down the course twice, change lanes and change tires in a single matchup, the racers go down once in their initial race meaning it is the luck of the draw if you get the “fast” lane that day.
“When you race in Lima, you usually know to go down the middle or which lane is going to be faster, but here nobody really knows which lane will be faster or how to race the course,” Oatman said.
Even though Oatman wants to collect some hardware, she knows she is already coming home with a lifetime of memories and a new outlook on a sport she never thought she would compete in.
“I am really glad I decided to race because now I love soap box derby,” Oatman said.
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