Plot Synopsis

After his parents are killed in a car accident, 12 year-old Bobby, is sent to live with his aunt and uncle. He dreams of building the soap box derby racer he and his dad had designed, but his uncle scorns the idea, preferring him to work at the family hardware store. He soon meets the school bully whose own unbeaten derby racer appears to be the leader heading to the All-American Derby in Akron. Bobby secretly finds a mentor in town loner, Jim Klecan, the former town champ of yesteryear. Klecan, a Vietnam vet and handyman, is derided by most of the town for his isolated lifestyle, but provides the friendship and mentoring the young boy needs to become a champ-- which helps both to heal past emotional wounds.