FAST TRACK

Soap Box Derby turns Wilson Street into a speedway

POTTSTOWN »

Soap box drivers returned to Wilson Street Saturday for the Annual Pottstown Soap Box Derby.

Supporters showed up along the sidelines to cheer on their favorite racers as drivers zoomed down the street in a competition to top their division.

The Soap Box Derby is a youth racing program that has run nationally since 1934, according to the Soap Box Derby website. The Pottstown Soap Box Derby is sponsored by the Pottstown AMBUCS and first began in 1994. This year’s race brought in 34 drivers total, with six competing in the Masters, 14 in Superstock and

14 in Stock division.

“We pair them up by a random draw and they race against each other. We time them and everything and the difference in time gets them through on the winner side. After they lose once they get put over to the consolation side. You have to lose twice to be eliminated and all the kids are guaranteed at least four times down the hill,” explained Ginny McKain, the assistant director of the races. McKain is taking on the new role after her husband, Mike McKain, who ran the races for nine years, passed away.

“In the end we send three drivers out to Akron, Ohio. The three drivers from the Stock, Superstock and Masters divisions represent Pottstown in the race there. We’ve had several drivers placing in Akron. We had Meghan Hydutsky, and she won the world championship out there, which was awesome. We also had Alejandro, our Stock racer from last year, who is racing Superstock this year, placed sixth last year so we’ve had quite a few successes out there,” said McKain.

The race is not only an intense competition, though. The race also serves as a means for community members to spend time together as they cheer on their favorite drivers. The race takes place on the third Saturday in June every year and leading into the Fourth of July fun that follows.

“Soap Box Derby usually kicks off the Fourth of July Week festivities we have this week,” McKain said. “We run a challenge race for handicapped children next week with co-drivers and we always have the Rumble too so we sort of kick things off for the holidays.”

At the end of the day, Tommy Culbert took first place in the Masters division, Hayden Santangelo won in the Stock division and Ben Seamen took first place in the Superstock division.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA In a fun race down Wilson Street during the Soap Box Derby Saturday, adults accompanied kids in the cars.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Drivers gear up for their race down Wilson Street Saturday during the Pottstown Soap Box Derby. The race brought in 34 drivers competing for the top spot in their divisions.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A driver races a brightly painted soap box car down Wilson Street Saturday during the Pottstown Soap Box Derby.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Organizers placed a floral arrangement in the shape of a soap box car at the grave site of Mike McKain, who ran the Pottstown Soap Box Derby for nine years. His wife, Ginny, took over as assistant director this year.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Racers zoom down Wilson Street Saturday as they compete for the top spot in their division during the Pottstown Soap Box Derby.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Hayden Santangelo celebrates with her family Saturday just after taking first place the Stock division during the Pottstown Soap Box Derby.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA From left, Masters Division champion Tommy Culbert, Superstock division champion Ben Seamen, and Stock champion Hayden Santangelo sit in their cars at the finish line following a day of racing.