NEW BERLIN SOAP BOX DERBY, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2019 It was an eventful day on Sunday, September 8th, 2019 for the 55th annual race of the running of soap box cars at the New Berlin Soap Box Derby (NBSBD). The race took place at the New Berlin Park (Beloit Rd. and Small Rd.) with youngsters starting at 6 years to 16 years. The weather turned out to be a very cool day with a heavy overcast sky, but a day for memories.

It was the Brockman's 38th year of sponsoring a child to race in the Derby with the car named "Patch Man." Collecting police paraphernalia from all over the world for the last 43 years turned out the naming of the "Patch Man" car. My suggestion years ago to the Milwaukee Police Post 415 (MPP415), American Legion to sponsor a child in the NBSBD naming the car "Paddy Wagon 415" after our famed 1935 GMC Patrol

Wagon. This suggestion turned out to be seven years for MPP 415 to sponsor a child with the named car "Paddy Wagon 415." There were 25 drivers in Class A ages 6 to 8 - 18 drivers in Class B ages 9, 10 and 11 - and 19 drivers in Class C ages 12 to 16. The six fastest cars in each Class A, B and C become finalists then compete in racing for 1st place within their Class. The last race is the finalists from each Class competing for the title of "Champion of Champions." At 10:00 AM the crowning of the Queen, Alayna Flanigan, made a great hit with the spectators as she rode up and down the track in a convertible waving. The Class B race began after the Queen had her day. Car 201, "Paddy Wagon 415" driven by 10 year old Tristan Dommershausen was in this race. Tristan won every race and became a finalist in the Class B race. Since the "Patchman" car 99 was not to be on the track until 2:00 PM Jaclyn and I left for home to rest and warm up a little. We returned in the afternoon to watch the "Patchman" car driven by 6 year old Leland Gabor who did very well by winning two races, but could not get that third win to become a finalist. The boy commented he had lots fun, met many other drivers and will ace again next year.

Although we knew Car 201 won the Class B finals Jaclyn and I contemplated staying for the final races, but because of the cold we had to leave. Knowing "Paddy Wagon 415" car won 1st place in Class B and then would compete with the 1st place winners in Class A and C for the Champion race we hoped 201 might win. We received a call hours later that Tristan in Car 201 driving the "Paddy Wagon 415 Car won and became the 2019 "Champion of Champions."

After 38 years of entering a car a "Champion of Champions" came across our path!

Don Brockman, Life Time Member of the New Berlin Soap Box Derby

Tristan, Driver of 201 and Don Brockman

Tristan, "Champion of Champions and Jaclyn Brockman