‘The G.O.A.T. of the Soap Box Derby’: Racer makes history with fourth victory
Karlye Murphy had tears streaming down her face before her car came to a complete stop at the end of the track.
The 17-year-old from Hilton, New York, didn’t know it yet, but she had just made Soap Box Derby history.
Her tears fell harder as the news came over the loudspeaker. Murphy was the All-American Soap Box Derby champion for the rally super stock division, making her the first person to ever win four All-American titles.
"I’m just completely overwhelmed,” Murphy said after her victory. “I’m so glad I was able to make history.”
With her win at the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships on Saturday, Murphy ended a stellar week of derby racing. She had also won the All-Star super stock division on Thursday and the AUI Rally Super Stock Challenge on Wednesday, making her the first person to capture all three titles in one week.
“She’s the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) of the Soap Box Derby,” said Jeff Iula, a Soap Box Derby historian and the former general manager of the All-American Soap Box Derby.
Murphy first won an All-American title in 2015 at age 10 in the local super stock division. The following year, she won the rally stock division. In 2021, she became the rally super stock champion.
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She attributed her success to practice and hard work.
“Even with the world championships, it’s still nerve-racking and everything,” she said. “I try my hardest to just think of it as another rally race every time I get to go down this hill.”
Seven separate victories in Soap Box Derby races
Rain and two pauses in racing due to inclement weather failed to damper the excitement of the over 300 racers competing.
As the final heat of each division crossed the finish line, tears, hugs and broad grins were plentiful.
Murphy was one of seven champions Saturday.
Ayva David from Ocala, Florida, won the local stock category for the derby’s youngest participants, besting racers from Kentucky and Ohio in the final heat.
Eleni Fischer of Columbus won the battle of local super stock winners. Fischer said she was “kind of speechless” after her victory.
Alexandra Uhler of Dubois, Pennsylvania, took the local masters title.
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In the derby’s rally divisions, participants qualify for the All-American by gaining points in multiple races throughout the derby season.
Brayden Locher of Owensboro, Kentucky, took the top spot in rally stock, breaking into tears when his name was announced.
Karlye Murphy of Hilton, New York, raced to first in the rally super stock.
Cash Driggers of Tarrytown, Georgia, became a two-time victor with his win in rally masters.
Justin Roda of Sterling, Ohio, won the National Super Kids Classic, a derby race in which racers with disabilities compete in a two-person derby car alongside a co-pilot.
Northeast Ohioans take home honors at Soap Box Derby
As Amy Getz headed into her final world championships, she wanted to go as big as she could get. The 20-year-old from North Canton finished third in the local masters division, her best finish after eight trips to the world championships.
“It feels great,” Getz said after her final race. “I was really hoping that I would end on a high note, and I did. It’s all I could ask for from today.”
Getz also came in third in the AAA Local Masters Challenge Tuesday.
Ahead of the final heats of the day, 9-year-old Kameron Wyant said he was surprised to find himself in the top nine. This year was the Warren resident’s first year racing.
Wyant’s favorite part of derby racing: “You can go down a hill that is fun to go down.”
He finished third in the local stock division.
Akron native Hunter Case, 9, came in ninth in the rally stock division. He said his favorite part of racing down the hill is going fast.
For a full list of winners, go to www.soapboxderby.org.
Soap Box Derby winners
Local Stock Division
1. Ayva David, Clearwater, Florida
2. Dominic Frassinelli, Bowling Green, Kentucky
3. Kameron Wyant, Warren
Local Super Stock Division
1. Eleni Fischer, Columbus
2. Aidyn Driggers, Tarrytown, Georgia
3. Garrett Minch, Cleveland
Local Masters Division
1. Alexandra Uhler, Howard, Pennsylvania
2. Cayson Hayes, Conneaut
3. Amy Getz, North Canton
Rally Stock Division
1. Brayden Locher, Owensboro, Kentucky
2. Zachary DeFreest, Eugene, Oregon
3. Brighton Flowe, Denver, North Carolina
Rally Super Stock Division
1. Karlye Murphy, Hilton, New York
2. Laura Smutny, Canfield
3. Alexa Garren, Villa Rica, Georgia
Rally Masters Division
1. Cash Driggers, Tarrytown, Georgia
2. Ronan Johnson, Camano Island, Washington
3. Chris Kovach, Meriden, Connecticut
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Soap Box Derby racer makes history with fourth win
