Car Building & Racing Clinics
Blake took advantage of the clinic.
Blake took advantage of the clinic. 		Learn to make your car go faster
Learn to make your car go faster 		Carrie was there too.
Carrie was there too. 		Tools and advice to help you
Tools and advice to help you
Inspection
Body Inspectors
Body Inspectors 		One family makes last-minute adjustments.
One family makes last-minute adjustments. 		Inspectors give building tips.
Inspectors give building tips. 		Parents discuss weighing with the Regional Director
Parents discuss weighing with the Regional Director
Race Day
First the cars are Unloaded
First the cars are Unloaded 		Fred Mohler gives words of wisdom
Freddy Mohler gives words of wisdom 		The cars look better and better.
The cars look better and better. 		Get Ready to Race
Get Ready to Race
And they're off!
And they're off! 		Cars 119 and 127 face off
Cars 119 and 127 face off 		105 edges out 126
105 edges out 126 		Ashely's back forms a smooth line with her flag-waving car.
Ashely's back forms a smooth line with her flag-waving car.
Jessica in 124 edges out her competitor.
Jessica in 124 edges out her competitor. 		This is it. One of these girls is going to Akron.
This is it. One of these girls is going to Akron. 		The Loopin' Louie Car 66 vs Sktr Dude 78
The Loopin' Louie Car 66 vs Sktr Dude 78 		Number 53 and Number 82, very close.
Number 53 and Number 82, very close.
Tony Valenzuela and Samantha Boughner, neck and neck.
Tony Valenzuela and Samantha Boughner, neck and neck. 		The 222 car and the 20 car do battle.
The 222 car and the 20 car do battle. 		A rare shot. A Stock car and Super Stock car together.
A rare shot. A Stock car and Super Stock car together. 		Wheel Swap!, Those guys are amazing!
Wheel Swap!, Those guys are amazing!
Michael, Carmella and Don Berry Jr.
Michael, Carmella and Don Berry Jr. 		Race Director Lucia Moran looks relaxed.
Race Director Lucia Moran looks relaxed. 		Carmella guards the trophies
Carmella guards the trophies. 		Who let these guys on the ramp?
Who let these guys on the ramp?

This year's derby began on a sad note with the passing of our first Technical Director, Don Berry. In a salute to all he has done to get the race going, the Greater Coachella Valley Soap Box Derby will be known as the Don Berry Memorial Greater Coachella Valley Soap Box Derby, this year and for the next two years.

It's said that Don is still helping us. Evidence of this is that this year we received our own trailers to move the cars with. As late in the year as the race was this time, a fresh coat of snow graced the mountain tops on race day, ensuring cool weather for racing. Getting the hay bales was easy, unlike earlier years where hay earmarked for the Derby was set ablaze just a week before the race. But Don saved his best trick for last.

There were a lot of changes this year. Without Don to personally visit so many of the racers for wheel and disassembly inspections, we had to rely more on workshop clinics. But some of the parents were delighted to discover that by bringing the car to the clinic, that the tools and parts and scales needed were available, that there were people to help them with any of the tough parts of building the cars, making it easier and more fun for everyone. Winners, Carrie Barron and Blake Britton both came to the clinics I guess it helped.

We also saw our first racing coaches emerge, racers and former racers who cheered on their friends and helped them find the sweet spots on the track and get positioned in the cars. The girls who dominated the Super Stock class this year worked together and were doing stretching and focusing routines before they started, showing that the Derby is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. Carrie and Blake proved that you don't need a new car to win. Both of their cars were seasoned veterans.

This year everyone helped. Because the Marines got sent out on maneuvers at the last moment and could not help us, we even put the parents to work. The Boys and Girls Clubs also managed to round up a number of volunteers at the last moment. Thanks, everyone.

Don's family, Carmella and his sons Don Jr. and Michael were there cheering us on, as was Fred Mohler, 1953 World Champion, and La Quinta Mayor John Peņa. As a treat, FaultLine Racing Team director Art Lambrose challenged Technical Director Gordon Fisher to a race. Fisher had a 10 lb weight advantage over Lambrose, so he was forced to tie a balloon to his car in an attempt to make it lighter. Fisher's weight advantage gave him an early lead, but Lambrose's superior aerodynamics down the hill gave him victory. So much for the idea that a lighter car cannot be competitive.

We're very proud of all the racers who participated. The fun is what really counts.

Oh, and Don's final surprise? Don was a member of the 222 Club, a club whose members really help in making the Derby happen. The cars have been raced for a number of years, but this year, both of the cars sponsored by the 222 Club won in their class.
Photos Copyright 2002 Greater Coachella Valley Soap Box Derby, The City of La Quinta, Leon Steffen and Duke Britton.