SOAP BOX DERBY-LOVING FAMILY HOPES OTHERS WILL JOIN SPORT
FAMILY, FROM PAGE 1:
assisted on building the cars, which cost $450-$650 each and come in an easy-to-assemble kit. On race day, the family changes out the wheels between runs — each race has two heats, with finishes based on racers’ average time down the derby slope. Riley finished at 29.41 seconds on the 989-foot course, and her speed got up to 30 mph.
There’s plenty of strategy and coaching, such as reminding the driver of the basics: Sit toward the back of the vehicle and remain low; hold the steering wheel tight and do not move around. The Gresko brain trust also includes Stacia Gardiner, Mckayla’s mom and Jeremy’s sister, who also won a trophy or two in her days competing.
The Greskos are hoping to get a few more families involved.
Las Vegas Soap Box Derby is looking for more participants. For details, email jbgresko@cox.net.
The stock division is open to competitors up to 5 feet, 3 inches tall and 125 pounds, ages 7-13. The combined weight of the driver and car cannot exceed 200 pounds. Cars typically weigh about 70 pounds.
Participation in Region 2, which includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah, hasn’t been robust. And in Nevada, there are only a handful of competitors.
Jeremy and his wife, Melissa, head Las Vegas Soap Box Derby and spend most of their free time promoting the activity, including hosting a local regional each spring in the RC Willey parking lot in Henderson. The Greskos have numerous cars in their garage for beginners to try out.
A racer needs 100 points to qualify to compete in Akron, with 40 points awarded to firstplace finishers in the coed competition. The age minimum is 7; 20 is the maximum.
Riley might not be the last Gresko to thrive in the activity. Her younger brother, 4-year-old Preston, is already showing an interest in being in the garage while the cars are assembled.