Kids put their heads down in race for national competition

Children ages 7-13 strapped on their helmets and leaned into the track this past Saturday as they competed in the Soapbox Derby competition in the east lot of the Viejas Casino and Re­sort.

The event was hosted by Al­pine Kiwanis Club at the newly repaved track supplied by Viejas.

“They have been fantastic supporters of Kiwanis,” said Greg Fox, event coordinator from Alpine Kiwanis.

“From our standpoint, Alpine is right next door— we’re part of the same community. With such a long, shared history, the tribe is just very interested in being a solid community part­ner,” said Anthony San Pietro of Viejas Casino and Resort.

Among those community members were Clara and Randy Lees, both racing in the Super Stock division.

Clara, 13, said she wanted to follow in her sister’s footsteps.

“I hope I win because I’d love to go on to Akron. My sister went a few years ago, she’s what got me into it.”

Clara’s mother, Melea Lind­ner-Lees shared a parental per­spective on the event.

“It would be exciting to see one of the kids go on to Akron. The track there is permanently installed, it is much longer and steeper and you only go down once— one and done, that’s it. It’s expensive, but worth it, it is a lot of fun.”

Several first-time racers gleaned a few tips from the Kiwanis members who helped coordinate the children as they lined up to take their turn at the track. Sandy Dean, a volunteer with Alpine Kiwanis provided smiles and encouragement for the children at the starting line.

“It’s a fun event and what’s nice is that it’s not so intimidat­ing if they’ve never raced before,” Dean said.

Former World Championship racer Niko Kaderabek shared the delight at being one of the more experienced racers, and at having his sister Kate racing this year.

“I took third in the world in my old orange car. It still has my name on it. It’s nice to know there are three cars in this race with my name on it,” said Niko, gesturing at the full line of cars.

Granite Hills High School Key Club members were also on hand, standing by to help the racers out of their cars when they arrived at the finish line, and helping to move the cars off the track between heats.

“It’s really fun to see these young kids so happy in a STEM field, which is really what this race is all about, it’s the wave of the future,” said Ramses Lara, a member of the Granite Hills High School Key Club.

Several children who spoke about what it was like to race for the first time.

“It’s very exciting that my grandma and my sister came today and it made me a little less scared. I was just scared of crashing. It was hard to steer but I get to race again,” said 7-year-old Mackenzie McHone.

“It was scary because it was my first time. I was going really fast but I expected it to be fast­er,” admitted David Hull.

Jace Mascari offered practical and hair-raising advice to future racers.

“I’d tell new racers to get re­ally low and don’t brake at all,” he said.

This year’s winner in the Stock division was Brooke Cun­ningham of El Cajon.

Joe Mascari of Alpine won in the Super Stock division.

There is no monetary prize for winning these local races, but the winners from this lo­cal Stock and Super Stock race are eligible to compete in the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship in Akron, Ohio against other local cham­pions.