While many will be heading south for their summer vacations, a pair of Christian County families are preparing to make their way north to Akron, Ohio, for a chance of a lifetime.
Ellie Knight and Nate Crosby will be representing the area at the 87th International Soap Box Derby World Championships July 13-19.
Crosby, who is a six-year veteran of Soap Box Derby, is making his first appearance in Akron after winning the local Super Stock race in May at Ruff Park. He is the 11-year-old son of Matt and Robin Crosby and attends Christian County Middle School.
Knight, who raced for the first time in May, finished runner-up to Madalyn Pace in the Stock Division at the Hopkinsville race. However, Pace suffered an off-track injury and cannot race in Akron paving the way for Knight to represent the area in the event. Knight is the 10-year-old daughter of Jamie and Amanda Knight and attends Crofton Elementary School.
Both racers are excited about the opportunity to race in Akron. Crosby said he has been preparing for the longer and steeper hill in Akron.
Knight said she is a little nervous about making her first run down the Akron hill.
Hopkinsville is the home to one national champion as Ashton Grace won the Super Stock title in 2018. Conner Bledsoe also was an All-Star Race winner a few years ago.
Both Knight and Crosby will represent The Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation next week. Amy Rains, the Co-Race Director of The Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation, said both families are still fundraising and could use financial help with the trip and the weeklong stay in Akron.
Knight and Crosby will head to Akron on July 12 and their cars must be impounded and inspected before the competition begins. Unlike the local race, which is a two-lane, best-of-three format, the International Soapbox Derby is a three-lane race and is a single elimination format.
Photo by Joe Wilson