It’s not zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, but 12-year-old Megan Gongaware topped speeds of more than 35 mph as she made her way down the famed stretch of pavement at Derby Downs.
The Perry Township girl said she was nervous, but “really determined,” as she prepared to make her final run: 953.75 feet to the finish line.
It was a race she won by less than a foot Saturday to become a world champion soap box derby racer.
“I wasn’t sure I’d won until everyone started snapping pictures,” said Megan, who won the title of 2010 All-American Stock World Champion. “Then, I was just really excited. I couldn’t believe it.”
On Sunday, she returned to the track, donning her championship jacket and ring. She was prepared to take part as an extra in the filming of “25 Hill,” a movie produced by Corbin Bernsen about the Akron-based All-American Soap Box Derby. The movie was shot at Derby Downs during the international derby Saturday and Sunday and, this week, the film crew packs up to shoot some scenes in Green.
‘DEEP ROOTS’
Bernsen, known for his role as an attorney in the television drama “L.A. Law,” was inspired to write the “25 Hill” screen play after reading about the financial difficulties of the Derby. He set out to help save the 77-year-old youth racing league — and keep it in Akron.
Despite a record number of racers, ranging in age from 8 to 17, the Derby has lost money three out of the past five years. A portion of the money raised from the film as well as fundraising efforts led by the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce are expected to help the Derby pay its debt of more than $623,000 and keep it from being foreclosed upon.
“We can’t lose it,” Bernsen said of the youth racing league. “It is rooted deeply in American values of simplicity, hard work and limitless vision.”
Megan’s father, Lee Gongaware, has made it a goal to publicize the sport as much as he can.
“Hopefully, this movie gets the word out. It’s a good clean sport,” he said. “It’s good, clean fun for everyone involved. It gives the kids something to do and keeps them out of trouble.”
THE NEXT DANICA?
Even though the international derby takes place in Akron, Lee Gongaware acknowledges that not many locals take notice. He was one of them. That was until a colleague at Stark State College introduced him and daughter Megan, who was a 9-year-old at the time, to the sport.
