San Juan Island speed racers | Photos

Island Rec’s Soap Box Derby returned on May 20.

By Hayley Day • May 23, 2018 4:25 pm

San Juan Island kids and adults had a need for speed on Sunday, May 20 when participants battled for the Island Rec soapbox derby championship. Racers from ages 5 to adults shot down Grover Street from about 1-2:30 p.m. for both the hill and the thrill. Dave Champlin and his granddaughter Lexi, 8, took home the coveted first place trophy. Each took turns in their age division to ride their hand-made tie-dyed soapbox, which Camplin said was modified from last year’s model. The process was so much fun, said Champlin, he couldn’t count the hours spent making the winning model.

“I don’t keep track of time,” said Champlin. “It’s a labor of love and lots of late nights.”

Here is a list of the winners:

5- to 8-year-olds:

First place: Mac Douglas

Second place: Kate Douglas

Third place: Lexi Gummerman

Fourth place: Ngozy Vergara-Schollmeyer

9- to 12-year-olds:

First place: Jim Weiss

Second place: Timmy Mountford

Third place: Oliver McEwen

Fourth place: Eric Corbin