a RACE to the FINISH!

PHOTOS BY RICK WOOD STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS With a look of utter determination, Makenna Thomas, 13, races down the "Gravity Gran Prix." She placed 1st in the Super Stock Division and will now compete in Akron, Ohio later this summer. Although doused with a sprinkle of rain, the second annual Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby came off without a hitch Saturday.

Spectators lined 276th Street NW to watch the racers as the road in front of the Stanwood Community and Senior Center became the "Gravity Gran Prix."

This year, 52 drivers challenged one another in the stock and super-stock divisions — all vying for the coveted first place.

Randy Heagle, one of the event's organizers, said that derby volunteers started their day at 5 a.m. and were there until the evening.

"It takes a lot of great people to put this event on," said Heagle. "The volunteers are dedicated."

Chase Gardner, 8, said he was excited about the derby just minutes before he sped down the track.

"I feel really good about it," said Gardner, a first-time racer. "I'm not scared."

The excitement flowed as racers made their way to the starting line. Gardner said that he had waited a long time for race day, and he was happy the day had finally come.

Congressman Rick Larsen (D), who was on hand as an invited dignitary, watched the derby with his son, Per.

"This is such a great community event," said Larsen. "It's good to see an activity for the whole family draw such a crowd."

Larsen said, if his son wanted to race next year, he would definitely give him the green light.

Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-Camano Island) said she, too, is a big fan of the derby.

"I think it's wonderful for kids," said Haugen. "They see the entire community come out to support them."

More than 250 spectators watched racers roll down the track, sometimes reaching speeds of more than 30 MPH.

Across the U.S., there are 450 races each season, and with the exception of the years spanning World War II, national championship races have been held every year since 1934.

PHOTO BY RICK WOOD STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS Jonah Sturdy, 14, races across the finish line during the Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby Saturday. Stanwood's division winners, Alex Lemke and Makenna Thomas will head to the world championship All-American Soap Derby in Akron, Ohio later this summer.

Stock Division winners

1st place, Alex Lemke - Lake Connection Sun Stream Boats;

2nd place, Isaac Placzek (second year in a row) - The Extreme Group;

3rd place, Taylor Steen - Gifts Ahoy;

4th place, Luke Placzek - Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center;

5th place, Jayson Withers- Cascade Lumber;

6th place, Megan Schakel - Washington Energy Services;

7th place, Kaden Thomas - JP DeBoer/Windermere; and,

8th place, Alec Snyder - Len Hoover.

Super Stock Division winners

1st place, Makenna Thomas- Best Buy;

2nd place, Emily Gibbons - Wave Broadband;

3rd place, Cody Fazone- Youth for Christ;

4th place, Morganne Lagarde- Davis Place;

5th place, Izzy Newton- Harley Davidson Car;

6th place, Paige Thompson- American Legion;

7th place, Jett Witcher- Evergreen Auto Rebuild; and,

8th place, Madison Hughes- Leslie Tripp State Farm Insurance.

Reporter Rick Wood: 629- 8066 ext. 104 or rwood@scnews. com.