Derby champion competing Saturday

Clovis' soapbox derby champion will hit the streets of Akron, Ohio, Saturday morning, with a national championship up for grabs.

Tayelor Chavez, 16, is Clovis' representative in the All-American Soapbox Derby. She is racing in the eighth heat of the Super Stock Division, Clovis race organizer Larry Erwin said.

Erwin noted that Chavez, who raced seven years in the Clovis derby before finishing first this year, was the fastest driver in both of her practice runs on the Akron track.

"We're hoping she'll win about five heats," Erwin said, "and she can bring a big trophy home."

Chavez' division will begin at 8 a.m. local time, with Erwin estimating that her opening heat will come an hour in. The races will be streamed online at http://www.aasbd.org.