First-timers rule the course

~ Voss and Little earned first-place finishes in their inaugural attempt.

Rookies ruled the day Saturday in the eighth annual Soap Box Derby in Cape Girardeau.

Elwood Voss, a 10-year-old from Cape Girardeau, won the Super Stock division, while 9-year-old Jordan Little of Jackson coasted to the the Stock division title.

The two young drivers qualified to race July 21 at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio. Race day caps a week of festivities for the derby, which this year will celebrate its 70th running.

The local race is sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital and by the Cape Girardeau Rotary Club, which uses the proceeds from the event for local community service projects and for the Rotary International Foundation.

Hannah Jemmison, right, started her race with Dayton Seabaugh in the Soap Box Derby. (Fred Lynch)

The event featured 18 Stock division entries and 13 Super Stock racers in the double-elimination brackets. The Soap Box Derby pits racers ages 8 to 13 in the Stock Division and ages 10 to 17 in the Super Stock, which are slightly larger cars. The vehicles are powered only by gravity, while racers have a lever system to control steering and the ability to apply brakes.

While Voss and Little never had raced before Saturday's event rolled down North Sprigg Street, they were familiar with the event from previous years.

"My dad brought it up this year," Voss said. "We saw the kids do it last year, and I think that's what inspired us.

"I didn't think that I would place at all, and here I am, first place."

Voss, like Little, came through the winners bracket unscathed to win the championship in his car, sponsored by Cape Rotary.

Emily Diamond rolled down Sprigg Street in the Soap Box Derby. (Fred Lynch)

For the title, he beat out April Little, 14 and Jordan's older sister. April Little was competing for the third year.

Finishing third was Sky Smith, 12, of Jackson; and in fourth was Lexi McClanahan, 10, of Cape Girardeau.

All of the eight trophy winners in the two divisions were first-time top-four finishers.

Jordan Little was one of those first-time winners, but he benefited from advice from his older sister.

"She told me to stay straight and you'll go faster; and keep looking ahead, don't look at anybody else," Little said. "I was excited when I won. I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I won the race.'

Aaron Scherer, right, crossed the finish line ahead of Hayden Johnson in the Soap Box Derby.

"I was thinking I would most likely get second place, but I ended up getting first. Me and my family are very proud."

Jordan also went through the bracket without a loss Saturday.

Jordan and his mother, Beth, built the car with assistance from others at her employer, Rushing Marine, which sponsored the cars for both Jordan and April Little.

Finishing second in the Stock division was Hannah Jemison, 10, of Jackson. In third was Madison Enderle, 9; and Joshua Jones, 10, of Cape Girardeau.

The Littles were planning a run for ice cream following the long day, while Voss said, "I'm probably going to go home and call my grandparents and have a party. You never can know with my parents."

Jenna Barnard got some help with her helmet from her mother, Kim Barnard, prior to racing in the Soap Box Derby.