Soap Box Derby

Young Driver Looking For Soap Box Sponsors

LA MESA -- Eleven-year-old Declan Bardin of La Mesa took up Soap Box Derby racing this year and found out he has a bit of a knack for the sport.

After local and regional races he was invited to travel east for the 74th All-American World Champion Soap Box Derby Race in Akron, Ohio. That race is the Indy 500 of this sport.

Suddenly Declan needed to raise $5,000 to ship his car and transport his family back east.

On Tuesday, Declan, an honor student at Liberty Academy, showed a bit of flair for fundraising as well. He showed up at the La Mesa City Council meeting and made a pitch for local support.

"Some kids have raced for ten years and never had this opportunity,'' Declan said. "Please support me in pursuing this dream. I will race my very best in Akron and make you proud to be my sponsor.'' Council member Dave Allan quickly took flyers from Bardin and began distributing them through the audience.

Declan doesn't have a lot of time to raise the funds. The Akron race is on July 23. He and his parents, Debra and Skip, and his brother Aidan, (in photo below) are making the rounds in town looking for sponsors.

 If you are interested in being a sponsor, you can visit his website and donate on line by clicking here.