Soap box derby races through Colorado Springs

They may not have a driver’s license, but they still have a need for speed.

Dozens of young drivers put their homemade cars to the test during the 2015 Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby on Sunday.

“I always have an adrenaline rush right before I race,” said Roddy Lewis before racing in his third derby. “I’ve noticed the weight placement and how you drive the car is probably the most important thing, so I’m just going to have focus on my driving if I want to move on,” he said.

Drivers are able to experience the thrill of racing. Some of the cars can reach speeds up to 30 mph.

“When I’m going down the hill, I think to myself, ‘Oh no, am I going to crash?’ said Jayleen Ingram, last year’s stock champion. “I just make it to the end and just brake.”

Controlling the cars is harder than it looks. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers learned how difficult it can be to drive in a soap box derby. After a successful first race, the mayor lost control and crashed off-course the second time around.

“The steering mechanism didn’t work in the second heat and unfortunately we had a little crash down there,” Suthers said. “I’d like to blame it on a pot hole, but as you can see, there aren’t any potholes on this street.”

The race features three divisions, and the winners will compete in the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.

For some drivers, the race is about more than taking first place.

“It’s not about the winning,” Roddy Lewis said. “It’s just about hanging with your friends and getting our race cars down the hill.”

The 2015 Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby winners are: John Moyer (Stock Division), Roddy Lewis (Super Stock Division) and Andrew Daugherty (Masters Division).