SANFORD — It was a near-perfect morning when the City of Sanford Recreation Services Department and Central Florida Soap Box Derby held its 12th Super Kids Soap Box Derby on Saturday, March 14, at the CFSBD Facility in beautiful Mike Kirby Park.
The event was for children ages 7-to-19 with a medically diagnosed disability and featured special dual control cars with experienced champion co-drivers running a Double Elimination Race, followed by a lunch and awards ceremony.
After last year’s race was cancelled, three of the five registered contestants _ one was ill and the other suffered a broken arm during the week _ took part in the Double Elimination Race in hopes of earning the right to represent Sanford and the Central Florida Soap Box Derby at the 22nd Annual National Super Kid Classic that will be held during the 88th Annual First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio, Sunday, July 11-through-Saturday, July 18.
When all of the races had been run it was Taylor Williams claiming the checkered flag and the trip to Akron, where he will hopefully join 2019 Champion Cliffton Marshall as Sanford representatives being crowned National Champion.
Taylor, a fifth grader from Sorrento who attends Sorrento Elementary School, was joined in the field by Alexander ”Alex” Barrio from Winter Park, and Prynce Franus-Ramirez, a fifth grader from Apopka who attends Wolf Lake Elementary School.
Serving as Pilot Drivers/Co-Drivers were Maddy Taylor, Christian Taylor, Khloe Keller and Adarsh Koneru.
Also on hand to help with running the event were the local Kentucky Colonels and former SuperKids competitor Isiah Vargas and his father Rolando Vargas.
The City of Sanford Recreation Services Department and Central Florida Soap Box Derby 2025-2026 Rally/Derby Season will come to an end on Saturday, May 2, with the running of the 37th All-American Soap Box Derby Local Race, that will decide the three individuals that will represent Sanford and the CFSBD at the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby.
Check in will be at 7 a.m., with racing beginning at 8 a.m. and the event will consist of a Double Elimination race for each class.
The last day to register will be Thursday, April 16, and the fee is $25. Car inspections will take place on Saturday, April 25 from 8:30 a.m.-to-3:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 from 8:30 am.-to-noon. Cars will then be impounded until race day.
Once again, the three division winners in Stock, Super Stock and Masters will earn a spot in the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby at Derby Downs in Akron the week of July 11-through-July 18 and capped by the elimination runs on Saturday, July 18. The CFSBD will also be represented in Akron by several drivers in the All-American Rally Derby after earning enough points during the 2025-26 Rally Derby Season to qualify for the nationals.
Following the races, the group will move to Downtown Sanford and the Sanford Civic Center for a banquet and Awards Ceremony.
Everyone, especially interested non-racers, is invited to attend any of the family friendly events, free of charge, at the beautiful Mike Kirby Park facility located on the west side of Sanford at 2199 Oregon Avenue, north off of CR-46A (25th Street/H. E. Thomas Parkway) or east off of Rinehart Road, just south of the GreeneWay entry. The track is East of Bentley Elementary School.
For more information or to download a registration form, please check out the websites at www.AASBD.com or www.centralfloridasoapboxderby.com; Eric Griffin, [email protected], 407-353-6228, or call the City of Sanford Recreation Services Department at 407-688-5120. More information is also available at _ https://www.facebook.com/CentralFloridaSoapboxDerby/ _ especially photos and flyers.
Here are the results from the Super Kid Derby:
Saturday, March 14
Semifinals
Race 1 _ Taylor Williams defeated Prynce Ramirez.
Finals
Race 2 _ Taylor Williams defeated Alex Barrio.
Challenger Bracket
Race 4 _ Alex Barrio defeated Prynce Ramirez.
Championship Race
Race 5 _ Taylor Williams defeated Alex Barrio.
Final Standings
1. Taylor Williams; 2. Alex Barrio; 3. Prynce Ramirez.
