Boy is ready to roll in soap box derby

Kip Custer's story is straight out of a Disney movie.

Really.

The Martinez boy's interest in soap box derby racing started after his family watched a Disney movie called, Miracle in Lane 2. Now, he's headed to the 65th All-American Soap Box Derby this weekend in Akron, Ohio.

"We're ready to win!" Custer said. "The best part is how fast you get to go."

Custer will face more than 300 competitors from around the globe, racing against two other cars at a time in multiple competitions.

"Our whole family is excited about Kip racing in Ohio," said Ginger Custer, Kip's mother.

His trek to Ohio began with local builder Ben Brush - who sponsors the Thunderbolt racing team. Earlier this year, Brush asked Kip to join his children and grandchildren on the team.

"We built the car out of fiberglass and a lot of wood," Kip said. "My car probably has more weights than most of the other cars."

All cars must meet strict weight requirements in order to qualify. He worked with Brush to make the car perfect for the raceways.

Kip is 10 years old and right at home behind the wheel of his shiny, white soap box derby car, but it hasn't always been that way.

"(Kip) did a trial run about one week before the big race at Fort Gordon. He had never been in a soap box derby car before then, but followed all of Mr. Brush's instructions and did great," said Kip's mom.

Kip's dad didn't anticipate that his son would win six back-to-back races at Fort Gordon, sending him on to the international competition. But when his son went undefeated throughout the day and took home the big, first place trophy, he wasn't surprised.

"I know Kip puts everything he has into everything he does," said Mark Custer, Kip's father and crew chief. "He just has a natural ability to compete and I'm proud of him."

As Kip arrived in Akron, he signed the official entry board before heading to Derbytown, a camp for the young racers.

"It has been a long time since Augusta has put somebody into the Hall of Fame (for racing), but he's got a chance," Kip's father said.