Soap box derby champ set for Akron

CLOVIS - Rolling down hill may not sound thrilling, but for 12-year-old Jaden Martinez of Clovis, it will be the thrill of his young life.

Martinez is in Akron, Ohio with his family to compete in the All-American Soap Box Derby against international competitors.

In June, Martinez finished his third year competing at the soap box race in Clovis and came out victorious.

"I'm still excited," Martinez said about the month that passed between the Clovis race and his trip to Akron.

According to Larry Erwin, the director of the Clovis Soap Box Derby, Martinez will participate in a week-long event to run practice races on all three tracks available before moving on to a single-elimination, double-ride heat competition.

Once the bracketed races begin, each race includes two rides down the track for each heat. After the first ride, racers trade wheels and ride against one another again. The lowest average time is what determines the winner of each heat. If a rider looses a heat, he or she is out of the running.

Martinez said he is excited to have the opportunity to race in Akron as well as to travel during his busy summer.

Just two days before flying out to Akron, Martinez said he returned from a church camp in Texas. There he had a chance to race go-carts which "reminded (him) of the derby."

He is most excited to reach higher speeds at the races in Akron because its hills are more defined than Clovis, where race organizers had to build their own. In Ohio, Martinez and the other riders will be travelling at speeds nearing 30 miles per hour, according to the official All-American Soap Box Derby website.

"Going faster will be more fun," Martinez said.

According to Martinez's grandfather, John Snowberger, who will join him on the trip, the family will also make a day trip to Canada to see Niagara Falls.

The competition in Akron has strict regulations for cars and riders for the races.

Snowberger and Martinez made sure the car and Martinez were in tip-top shape for the big race before shipping off the car to Ohio last week.

According to Snowberger, the maximum combined weight of the racer and car must be no more than 240 pounds.

Martinez and his grandfather shifted the weights in the car to be as close to the limit as possible without going over.

"We are just under 240 pounds to the ounce," Snowberger said, adding that the weight will be a helpful strategy for Martinez in the race.

According to Erwin, no Clovis derby participant has placed in the All-American race.

"They are just excited to have an opportunity to travel," Erwin said.