Wilton Blakely
Posted on 07/28/2003 7:51:25 AM PDT by southernnorthcarolina
For the first time in 30 years, a world champion at the All-American Soap Box Derby has been stripped of his title.
Wilton Blakely, 13, of Huntersville, N.C., winner of the rally stock championship, lost his title late Saturday evening after derby officials discovered violations in how his car was built and configured.
Wilton Blakely
Runner-up Koby Garnhart, 11, of Winnebago, Ill., has been declared the new winner in that division.
Derby spokesman Bob Troyer said there are no other plans to pursue any further disciplinary actions against Wilton.
``I think the disqualification in itself is the disciplinary action,'' said Troyer.
After a driver wins his respective championship, a mandatory post-race inspection is conducted.
During this inspection, each winning car is taken apart and examined to determine whether it meets the derby's specifications as to how it is constructed and what materials are used.
While examining Wilton's car, derby officials detected some violations that they said would have been nearly impossible to detect in the pre-race inspection.
The car's kingpin, which holds the axle in place in the rear of the car, was found to be in violation. The kingpin was epoxied or glued to the floor instead of being placed through a pre-drilled hole on the axle. The glue or epoxy is thought to have given Wilton's car more stability.
Derby rules state that any attempt to gain unfair advantage or concealment of any illegal materials or parts in the racer is grounds for disqualification.
Inspectors also found that a bearing had been added to the base of Wilton's steering assembly that race officials think could have enhanced his steering ability. Racers are allowed to place a penny or a quarter below the steering assembly, but not a steel bearing. Some glue had also been placed in the area to help strengthen the bolt -- another violation of derby rules.
``These cars are built from a kit that racers have to purchase through the All-American headquarters,'' said Troyer. ``Racers are only permitted to use pieces provided to them inside the kit on their cars. Blakely was in violation of the rules because you are not permitted to add parts to the car.''
Jeff Iula, general manager of the Soap Box Derby, said Wilton's father admitted that he had used illegal materials in the car and suggested he might have just misinterpreted the rules.
The derby's rally competition differs from the All-American division competition in that racers have to accumulate points in various races across the country. Participants in the All-American division make it to Akron by winning soap box derby races in their respective communities.
The most recent racer to be stripped of a winner's title was James Gronen, who was disqualified in 1973 after inspectors found a magnet in the nose of his car. Derby inspectors found the magnet after they X-rayed Gronen's car.
The disqualification of one of this weekend's winners comes on the heels of another race-week controversy that pitted the author of a book about the derby against organizers. The organizers were upset that the book focused too much on previous misdeeds of race participants.
Melanie Payne, author of Champions, Cheaters and Childhood Dreams: Memories of the All-American Soap Box Derby, was prohibited by derby officials from selling her book at Derby Downs this weekend.
Payne, whose book addresses issues such as cheating and racism, said she isn't surprised to hear of someone cheating.
``It's a sad irony. I'm really disappointed it happened because it hurts the kids who built the cars and race,'' said Payne, a former Akron Beacon Journal reporter who now works for the Sacramento Bee in California. ``By (the derby's) trying to censor my book, it shows that they are not acknowledging their history. Turning a blind eye to the situation only allows these actions to continue.''
The ol' expoxied or glued instead of being pre-drilled ploy! Understandable...
Ah, the need to insure equality of opportunity and results.
How is not allowing the book sold at the race consider censoring? Will these people just shut up and leave us alone! Is it censoring if I do not buy Hitlery's book? What if she wanted to sell her book on my yard. Is it censoring if I say no?
Damn. "Hey son! I guess we've got to dismantle that turbofan attachment!"
Just damn.
If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
Treasury's Robert Rubin went into racing? ;^)
No, but Sammy Sosa, Jose Canseco, and Bill Clinton have rushed to his defense.
If so, they're in a distinct minority. Huntersville, a suburb of Charlotte which includes some lakefront developments on Lake Norman, is heavily Republican.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.