Cooper claims first in Soap Box Derby
Posted June 5, 2012
Caroline Cooper, seventh grader at The Webb School, finished first in the super stock category of the Tullahoma Soap Box Derby on June 2. The win gives her the opportunity to travel to Akron on July 21 and participate in the 75th annual All-American Soap Box Derby.
Cooper is not a stranger at the national race as she has had three stepbrothers to race at Akron and has been at their derby races. Also she has raced five times since she was eight years old in the local Tullahoma race finishing with one second-place and two third-place trophies.
Work on the car began in April with a kit obtained from the All American Soap Box Derby (www.aasbd.com ). Her stepfather and mother, Hunter and Amy Norris, as well as stepbrother, Zach Norris, a junior at The Webb School, helped her with plans along with a design artist and auto body shop. Another Webb School student, senior Jessica York, allowed the use of her spirit week design, which was placed on the hood of the soap box car. Outlined in blue and gold with feet across each side the Webb car was born.
The soap box cars are all gravity-powered with only a steering wheel and a brake that drags on the ground to stop. There are three levels of racing that allow for heavier longer faster cars. The stock division is for younger smaller drivers starting as young as seven years old. The next category is the
super stock with more weight and for children intermediate in experience and age. Then there is the master’s division for the older kids with them lying down in the car.
