In Littleton, the Sertoma Mile High Soap Box Derby is quite literally a sport for the generations.

“It feels awesome, two years in a row,” said Super Stock winner Allison Pankoff, 12, on June 3 after she narrowly capped the victory. “I’m just glad I could win again for my grandpa.”

Allison lost her grandpa, John Pankoff, not long before her big win last year.

“There’s no stopping you, girl,” beamed proud papa Buzz Pankoff.

Jenna Lee, 10, came in just .0633 seconds after Allison – impressive for a first-time racer. But some credit perhaps goes to her grandpa, Ed Sumner, who works with race director Jerry Stander on building the ramps and some of the cars.

“It’s a good fun time, and it really brings everybody together,” said Jenna’s mom, Dena, whose brother, Brian, competed against Buzz Pankoff in the soap box derby when they were kids.

Littleton’s Hatfields and McCoys, perhaps?

“I don’t feud with anybody,” laughed Buzz. And while all the parents were animatedly excited for their own kids, there was lots of handshaking and high fives all the way around. Good sportsmanship is evident, and all the kids seemed to go home friends.

Jenna said she didn’t really think she’d win but thought she’d do well, given her newfound need for speed – which apparently runs in the family. Jenna’s little brother Jacob had two minor meltdowns during the event, said his Uncle Doug – once when he got bumped out of his class, and again when his sister came in second.

Doug Lee said the whole family enjoyed watching Jenna’s derby debut.

“I’ve never seen (her dad) Scott smile so much my life,” he said.

“It’s awesome,” confirmed Scott Lee. “She is so excited for being the underdog and coming this far.”

But Allison won a return trip to Akron, Ohio, where nationals are held in July each year. Allison lost her first race there last year, but her spirit is undaunted. She attributes that to her lucky “tingling tangerine” hair dye, which goes quite nicely with her sparkly rainbow ballet slippers. Dad, however, knows his daughter doesn’t need lucky charms.

“She’s just going to do whatever she wants to do and do it herself,” he said.

For more information or to participate next year, visit www.smhsbd.com or call 303-791-1900.

Sertoma Mile High Soap Box Derby Winners

Super Kids:

Peter Starz

Super Stock:

Allison Pankoff, First Place

Jenna Lee, Second Place

Destin Wilcox, Third Place

Stock:

Allie Colvin, First Place

Clare Mahone, Second Place

Carly Cummings, Third Place