FAMILIES WORKING UP A LATHER KIDS SET TO COMPETE IN U.S. SOAPBOX DERBY.

Byline: Sharon Cotal Staff Writer

CASTAIC - Two Castaic families are in Akron, Ohio, this week to participate in an American tradition dating back to 1934 - soapbox derby racing.

``It's always something that my dad wanted to do with the family,'' said recent Valencia High School graduate Kelly McKeown, 17, who qualified for this week's All-American Soap Box Derby by placing first in a Masters Division race held in May in La Canada Flintridge.

His sister, Kim, 14, also qualified for the national competition in the Super Stock Division, and their parents, Rob and Lisa McKeown, will be with them during the weeklong festivities leading up to Saturday's race. This will be the family's fourth consecutive trip to Akron.

``The whole week is a lot of fun. Even if you don't do well in the race, it's worth going just for the experience,'' Kelly said. ``Of course you always go with a winning attitude, but in Akron, your chances of winning are between slim and none. The best people in the world are there.''

The soapbox derby tradition encourages families to work together, allowing parents to help their kids with the construction of the car.

``It has brought me and my dad closer together,'' Kim said. ``It has brought all of us closer. Before, me and my brother had nothing in common and we fought all the time. Now we have soapbox racing in common, so we fight about that.''

Dean Call, 12, spent two weeks building his soapbox car with his dad, Scott Call. Dean placed first in the Super Stock Division in May at La Canada Flintridge to qualify for his first trip to Akron with his dad and his mom, Dana.

``I hope to do well, but just being there is great,'' Dean said. ``I like the tradition of the race, since it's been around forever.''

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3 photos

Photo:

(1) Kelly McKeown, shown in his soapbox car, placed first in May in a Masters Division race in La Canada Flintridge, which qualified the 17- year-old for the All-American Soap Box Derby.

(2) Kim McKeown, 14, shown in the car she built for the derby, has qualified for the national competition in Akron, Ohio, in the Super Stock Division.

(3) Dean Call, 12, sits in the soapbox car he made with his dad, Scott Call. ``I hope to do well, but just being there is great,'' Dean said of the contest in Akron, Ohio.