Cars cross the finish line under the checkered flag at the 75th All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, on July 21, 2012. The event brought 425 boys and girls together to compete, including entrants from Canada, Germany, and New Zealand. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Participants line up on the hill behind the starting line at Derby Downs to compete in three-car, single-elimination heats. The racetrack is 989 feet, 4 inches long and 30 feet wide with a 16 percent grade at the top. The fastest cars reach the bottom in less than 30 seconds. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Taylor VanDenburg of Albany, N.Y., crouches low in her car, ready to start. Racers display their individuality in the way they paint and decorate their cars. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Carly Stead, from Bucks County, Pa., puts on her game face as she gets ready to roll. Winners will receive a share of $45,000 in college scholarships. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Alexis Jimenez, of New Rochelle, N.Y., says a quick prayer before she competes in her first race at the derby. Children ages 7 through 17 can compete after winning races in their regions. They're all called 'champ' by volunteer officials. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
John-John Pazdzior (l.), a special needs child, celebrates winning his heat with his driver, Sarah Longfellow, during a Super Kids Classic race. One day of the week-long derby event is dedicated to these special athletes who have all their expenses paid by a nonprofit organization. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
The inside of Katie Dudones's car is decorated with a photo of her brother, Justin, who is in the US Navy. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Racer Kristen Page, 11, talks on a cellphone with her Uncle Billy, a derby racer from 1969, while she waits to compete. Kristen, from Massena, N.Y., has been competing for four years. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
‘Crews’ (mostly dads) and racers, including Garren Tilton (r.). from Coachella Valley, Calif., wait in line for their heat. The derby has been held here every year since 1934, except for a four-year break during World War II. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Jacob Cooper (l.), a special needs child from Meriden, Conn., is excited as he sits next to his driver, Sarah Whitaker, ready to begin their run down the hill for the Super Kids Classic. Participants in the regular derby volunteer to drive them in specially-designed cars. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Geordan Wells (l.) from Indianapolis, Ind., drinks a cup of water as he waits to compete. Most racers are from the United States, but some competitors came from Canada, Germany, and New Zealand. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Soap box derby cars are lined up and ready for competition in a garage at the top of the racing hill. The racers compete in three-car heats, with the winners going on to further heats and then the final. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Ducky Downs, the derby mascot, has his photo taken with fans. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Racer Jonathan Drury, from Owensboro, Ky., gives a prerace interview to videographer Brad Hennegan, who was making a documentary of the event for cable television. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Alexandra Womer, 4, has her face painted at a booth at the derby. Her brother was competing in the derby. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Dave Borden wears a hat with homemade cars on top as he supports his niece, Tasha Hatt (l.), who is competing. They are both from New Hampshire. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Louie Olsen (l.), a special needs child, is buckled in before his run down the hill in the Super Kids Classic portion of the derby. These children compete in donated cars designed for two riders. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
'Derby mom' Dionne Potts, from central Florida, wears buttons and a T-shirt in support of competitors – including her two children. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Malena Shipley, from Atlanta, sits on her father's lap as she waits to compete. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
People line up to buy french fries, deep-fried bologna, hot dogs, nachos, chicken, and sodas from a fast food vendor at the week-long event. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Jacob Cooper (c.), a special needs child from Meridien, Conn., with his dad, Brian, says hello to his driver, Sarah Whitaker, before they compete in a Super Kids Classic race. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Danae Feldpausch, from Saginaw, Mich., waits at the top of the hill to move closer to the starting line for her heat. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Kirsten Vorpahl, from Silverdale, Wash., has her helmet and goggles on as she waits to compete. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Joey McCormack (c.), from Meriden, Conn., plays on a smart phone as he waits for his race. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Ashlee Roy, from Alton, N.H., is weighed in with her car before competing. There are weight limits each competitor must not surpass, depending on the class. A driver can add lead weights to the car to help its speed, up to the maximum weight allowed.. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Madison Trumpold, from Bristol, Conn., gets advice from her grandfather, Phil Wells and her mom, Michele, as she gets ready to compete. Family members serve as the crew for the racers. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Kallie Myers, wearing flashy striped socks, stretches as she gets ready to race. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Matt Thompson, from Norwalk, Iowa, is ready at the start to make his run down the track. It's 30 feet wide and just over three football fields long. The track record, set in 2004, is just over 26 seconds. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Jacob 'The Loominator' Looman's family and friends cheer from the sidelines beside the track. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Racers near the finish line pass by fans in the bleachers at Derby Downs. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Family and friends cheer from the stands. Many racers have multiple supporters along the sidelines, and most of them sport T-shirts, hats, buttons, blankets, and other derby memorabilia. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Hannah Taullie from Missouri takes off her helmet at the run-off area past the finish line. The Akron, Ohio, municipal airport is in the background. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Families often decorate car windows in support of their racers. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Joshu Klotz (r.), a special needs child, takes photos before his heat in the Super Kids Classic. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Riot police advanced on protesters in Istanbul's Taksim Square shortly after Prime Minister Erdogan warned the peaceful demonstrators to clear out or be forcibly removed.
Riot police fired water cannons and tear gas on protesters in Istanbul's Taksim Square and neighboring Gezi Park on Saturday, an intervention that came shortly after the prime minister warned that security forces "know how to clear" the area.
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