NICEVILLE — A few summers ago, Cate Rasinski went to an ice cream shop while visiting her dad, John Rasinski, in Ohio. She noticed a huge hill, the site of the All-American Soap Box Derby, and asked her dad about it. After hearing about the annual competition, she knew she wanted to race.
John and his friend, Joe Kelly, got together and began building her a car. The result was perfect for Cate: A blank canvas for her Salt Life stickers and even one advertising the Air Force Research Lab, where her mom, Stephanie Johnson, works.
“Cate the great,” as her friends call her, competed for the first time this year. She took part in three races, including the Akron Soap Box Derby. In that qualifying race, Cate managed to knock out two top contenders but failed to make it all the way to the All-American Soap Box Derby.
“She definitely caught everyone’s attention,” Johnson said.
The absence of hills in northwest Florida has put a stop to Cate’s training for the time being, but her next race could happen in the spring. Her family chips in with the flying points to help get her to the races.
Cate said she just focuses on the basic mechanics of steering and stopping during a race. Kelly advised her to ignore the other racers.
“I race only myself,” Cate explained.
She always races in a pair of black converses with racing checkered shoelaces and rainbow accents.
Cate has always been active. She surfs, skateboards, and is involved in sports. Still, she took to racing more than most of her activities, Johnson said.
“You get to drive a car and you’re my age,” Cate said of why she wanted to race. “It’s not something many kids get to do.”
Before she began racing, Cate dealt with anxiety, depression and was generally upset most of the time, Johnson said.
“Racing gave her an identity,” Johnson said.
When she first started racing, Cate thought she’d lose every competition. Now, she believes she’ll make it to the All-American Soap Box Derby.
“Always believe in yourself,” she said.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.