Reading Gravity Racing League extends racing to Pottstown
Soapbox Derby competition coming to Wilson Street July 15
Reading Gravity Racing League is bringing its soapbox derby to Wilson Street in Pottstown on July 15 to spread awareness for the organization and have a new place to race.
“This is our first event in Pottstown,” said John King, president of the Reading Gravity Racing League, who added that a friend of his who runs the Soapbox Derby of America suggested the location.
The race, which starts at 1 p.m., will continue the point system of soapbox derbies, King said.
“A gravity racer is a nonemotorized vehicle that can hit speeds of 45 mph coasting down a quarter-mile hill course with only brakes and steering to control,” according to the Reading Gravity Racing League’s Facebook page.
King is expecting around 15 racers and said there will then be two heats and a feature race, which will consist of five laps down the hill instead of the usual three.
Pottstown Borough Council unanimously voted in February to allow Wilson Street’s closure between Farmington Avenue and Slate Street from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the race.
“We found that Pottstown is ideal to us,” King said. “They believe in community.” While this may be the first race in Pottstown for the organization, the tradition started in 1964 under the name Reading Junior Stock Car Racing Association, which raced on Robinson Street Hill, King said.
“The organization stayed together until I believe 1979,” said King, who added that the association disbanded due to urbanization of Reading and the lack of space to race.
A Facebook page for those who took part in the association was created.
King related to those on the Facebook page, sharing some of his own stories from his racing days in junior high school until he was 18-years-old. King joined the Reading Junior Stock Car Racing Association after his Olivet Boys’ Club councilor showed King and the other boys his own stock car.
“It was great,” King said. “I built my first gravity racer in my mom’s basement.”
The conversation on the Facebook page continued, though, with reminiscent comments of ‘Wasn’t that great’ and ‘Best time of my life growing up,’ King said.
“For years, we heard ‘Wouldn’t it be great to do it again?’’ King said. “It took me four years to get to this point.”
King went to work. He received help from townships, police departments, and even the mayor to obtain permits and secure safety for all participants.
Now, the soapbox league has been active for two years.
“Everybody who started this came back and more have joined,” King said. “So we’re growing.”
In addition to the race on the 15th, Reading Gravity Racing League will also be hosting five others:
• July 22: Oak Lane Hill at the intersection of Oak Lane and Richmond Street in North East Reading. Rain date is July 29.
• Aug. 12: Oak Lane Hill at the intersection of Oak Lane and Richmond Street in North East Reading. Rain date is August 26.
• Sept. 9: Oak Lane Hill at the intersection of Oak Lane and Richmond Street in North East Reading. Rain date is September 16.
• Sept. 23: Chestnut Street Hill in West Reading. Rain date is September 30.
• Oct. 7: Oak Lane Hill at the intersection of Oak Lane and Richmond Street in North East Reading. Rain date is October 14.
Due to the weather, there are still a few races to schedule as well, King said.
The Reading Gravity Racing League is still looking for volunteers to help with the track at 11 a.m. on July 15. Anyone interested should join the group’s Facebook page.