Cameron Palmer, 11, left, and Karson Hewins, 11, speed down the West Paris Downhill Derby hill on July 9 during the first elimination race of the afternoon. Racers must lose two races to be eliminated. Palmer won the race and moved on to challenge another racer. The season involves three races, with one each in July, August and September.
Racer Steven McCann, 14, and volunteer Tim Hutchisen talk to driver Cameron Palmer, 11, after the final race of the West Paris Downhill Derby July 9. McCann had just won the race, and Palmer had come in second.
Nathan Ilsley, 8, gets out of his soapbox derby car after a weigh-in confirmed the combined weight of car and driver did not exceed 200 pounds. Helping were, from left, volunteer Eric Palmer, volunteer Tim Hutchisen, and race organizer Steve McCann.
Race volunteer Tim Hutchisen gives driver, Nathan Ilsley, 8, a rookie orientation on July 9 before the West Paris Downhill Derby. It was Ilsley's first time competing in the derby.
Ken Lamb releases drivers Nathan Ilsley, 8, left, and Steven McCann, 14, during the first round of races July 9 at the West Paris Downhill Derby. The mechanism to release the drivers was designed and built by race organizer Steve McCann.
Paige Canedy, 12, left, races Cameron Palmer, 11, during the West Paris Downhill Derby on July 9. Canedy, the only female competitor that day, raced all three races in the series last year and came in fourth overall.
Race organizer Steve McCann gives a pep talk to drivers on July 9 before the start of the West Paris DownHill Derby, outlining the rules and expectations for conduct during the races. The drivers, from near to far, are Tyce Sawyer, Nathan Ilsley, Karson Hewins, Cameron Palmer (obscured), Steven McCann and Paige Canedy.
Nathan Ilsley, 8, right, looks over at Cameron Palmer, 11, as they start their race on July 9 at the West Paris Downhill Derby. The non-motorized cars are propelled forward by gravity. In the background, racer Karson Hewins, 11, and volunteer Ken Lamb look on.
Cameron Palmer, 11, left, and Karson Hewins, 11, ride up the West Paris Downhill Derby hill with their soapbox cars in the back of a four-wheeler trailer on July 9. The two friends have raced soapbox cars for several years.
Race organizer Steve McCann rides a modified barbecue grill down the West Paris Downhill Derby hill on July 9 to signal the start of the lunch break. McCann fashioned a spatula to be used as a brake pedal and equipped the grill with a steering wheel.
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