Go Go Speed Racer!

Local kids win big at the 26th annual Soap Box Derby

The sun was bright and the skies were clear over the racetrack that had overtaken Valley City’s Central Avenue, and a day of racing, laughing, tears and cheers was enjoyed by race fans big and small as the 2022 Sheyenne Valley Soap Box Derby proved a rousing success, bringing dozens of racers out to the street for a competition like no other.

“It’s just fun, it’s just nice to do with family,” Taylor Fiedler, one of the racers, told the Times-Record. Fiedler’s derby car was sponsored by Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals, which has been Fiedler’s long-time sponsor. She’s got family members who work for the organization.

The racing went on for much of the day, with the track beginning near the Dairy Queen up the hill. From there the racers would take two lanes and go down the hill, vying to outpace the other and yet avoid crashing into the hay bales at the end.

A few of the practice drives did end in tears, but volunteers, parents and staff were ever on-hand to help comfort any drivers who suffered bruised egos – or knees. And among the assembly, which saw over 50 drivers in total, including 32 in the Stock Division and 25 in the Super Stock, travelling in from across the state, two champions were discovered, and both locals at that.

Zack Anderson (sponsored by Service Master) and Brycen Berg (sponsored by John Deere Seeding Group), both of Valley City, claimed victory in the Stock and Super Stock divisions respectively. As such, they are now eligible to compete in the International Soap Box Derby event in Akron, Ohio that’ll be held the week of July 17-23.

Former champions of the race are ineligible to race again, but some still find ways to return to the track – in the case of Veronica Remick, she’d been the racer to beat in previous years and now finds herself in a staff uniform, helping the next generation of racers and keeping the event running smoothly.

“It’s really fun. Going down the hill is fun too, but you get to work the whole week, you get to go into the sports com plex and have fun with everybody and there’s all these other kids here,” Remick said. “It’s just after school gets out and you get to see everybody again.”

A special award was given to some grown-ups who did their part to help set up the track, run the races, help the racers and clean up afterwards. The Lloyd Miller Sportsmanship

Award was awarded to Jamie and Becky Thebo for demonstrating the values of leadership and volunteering to assist where needed.

The name of the award

is in memory of Lloyd Miller, who was actively involved in the Derby since its inception some 26 years ago, serving as master starter for all races as well as helping in the pits and just about anywhere else he was needed.

There’s no denying the fun of racing headlong down a hill, and lots of fun was had at this year’s Sheyenne Soap Box Derby on Saturday.

Submitted photos 2022 Sheyenne Valley Soap Box Derby Stock Division Winners (l-r): Joshua Sykora – 8th, Hunter Liobl – 7th, Solomon Blount – 6th, Teagan Greet – 5th, Ian King – 4th, Ella Schmidt – 3rd, Keighty Harris – 2nd, Zack Anderson – 1st (sponsored by Service Master) and Ally Henke – Drivers Choice Award.

2022 Sheyenne Valley Soap Box Derby Super Stock Division Winners (l-r): Rylee Berg – 8th, Jordyn Aarseth – 7th, Zoe Ertelt – 6th, Taylor Fiedler – 5th, Samantha White – 4th and Drivers Choice Award, Emma Nelson – 3rd, Kallan Hansen – 2nd and Brycen Berg – 1st (sponsored by John Deere Seeding Group).

2022 Sheyenne Valley Soap Box Derby Stock Division Winners (l-r): Zack Anderson – 1st (sponsored by ServiceMaster) and Keighty Harris – 2nd (sponsored by Valley City Chiropractic).

2022 Sheyenne Valley Soap Box Derby Super Stock Division Winners (l-r): Kallan Hansen – 2nd (sponsored by Barnes County Ambulance) and Brycen Berg – 1st (sponsored by John Deere Seeding Group).

2022 Lloyd Miller Sportsmanship Award (lr): Director – Becky Thebo, Assistant Director – Wes King and Jamie Thebo.