

Here’s a special edition of the “Maker File” – Colin Berry reads Spinout, the story he wrote for Make Volume 07 about his brother’s efforts to build and race a car in the soap box derby in Longmont, Colorado. Unfortunately, he was up against more than just his own bad luck. Introduction by MAKE & CRAFT publisher, Dale Dougherty.
Click here to get the audio (MP3) delivered automatically with iTunes. Or just click the MP3 link to listen!
Previous Maker Files:
- The Maker File: A Tour of TechShop – Link.
- The Maker File: Interview with James Larsson – Link.
- The Maker File: Interview Tim Black – Link.
More:
- MAKE 07 – Spinout Was building a Soap Box Derby racer my brother’s last best chance at escaping his fate? Subscribers–read this article now in your digital edition!










Colin,
I just listened to your touching podcast story about your brother and his soap box derby experience. What a compelling story. It took me back to my innocence and youth as I raced in the 1976 soap box derby in Valparaiso Indiana.
As I listened I could not believe the race similarities. I too crashed at the end of the race, the brake malfunctioned (pushed too hard and lifted the weight off of the wheels), threw my car left and my rear axle hit the guardrail and there would be no more racing for me that 4th of July as the axle was bent beyond repair.
My family was there cheering me on amongst the crowd of about 4000 spectators and I felt embarrassed and somewhat of a failure at the time to have my dream taken away so quickly and in such a highly public way. But the good news was that everyone remembered me and wanted to look at the damage to the car and I got interviewed on the raido.
I remember feeling crushed as I thought of all of the hours that I lovingly labored on my passion. The dream was over in a flash and the only celebration would be a cake at the house and a party as I tried to forget the pain that I felt as my dream of Making it to Akron was swept away.
As a child growing up I was obsessed with the race and clearly remember the “Magnet Scandle”. How small of a world it is to think that this scandle impacted your brother and family’s life. Thanks for the great podcast as it gave me goosebumps to listen to it and i can’t wait to share it with my brother, neices, nephews and family. Thanks again.
Rodney Rumford
html://www.podblaze.com
html://www.mojopages.com
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However I am encountering issues
with your RSS. I don’t know why I am unable to subscribe to it.
Is there anyone else having similar RSS problems?
Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
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