“Get ready for the 2000 Challenge Series Soap Box Derby, a derby for physically and developmentally disabled children, coming to Southeast Barrington Street in Oak Harbor on July 15. The Sunrise Rotary has been working for several months to organize this project. The event is a community effort, bringing together volunteers from several organizations.Organizations include the City of Oak Harbor Road Shop, Oak Harbor School District, the Oak Harbor Police and Fire Departments, North Whidbey Lions, Armed Forces YMCA and MARS Radio group from NAS Whidbey. Physically and mentally disabled children will have the opportunity to ride with a volunteer co-driver in a colorful soap box car at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Volunteers will have been trained in how to turn and stop the race cars.The Oak Harbor Police Department will have a radar gun set up to clock the speeds of the cars.Every child is a winner, receiving a medal and photograph of themselves in the race car. Each child will also receive gifts from area merchants.Area radio station KWDB will provide a remote broadcast of the race and a PA system will make it possible for the spectators along the route to hear all the action.Other activities on race day include a fire truck display, clowns, face painting, concessions and a DARE police officer and car visit.The route starts in front of Island Thrift on N.E. Barrington and ends at the Puget Sound Energy Building.For more information or for registration forms, call Kit Maret at 675-9045, or Chris Braun at 275-2178.”