A race to remember
Local competes in Quakertown Super Kids soap box derby eventBy MICHAEL D. McELWAIN (mmcelwain@reviewonline.com)
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It all started in Akron back in 1980.
While Dave Mitan was working with some Soap Box Derby racers, he saw a special needs child next to a brother competing in the event.
That small child approached Mitan and asked, "Why can't I do that?"
The next year, the child could. In 1981, the first Super Kids Classic was held in Akron and now, a national race takes place in Akron every year where youngsters who were not able to participate in the All-American Soap Box Derby race could experience a race of their own.
On Saturday, and for the third straight year, Salem hosted a regional event sponsored by the Salem Retail and Business Association and York Drexler VFW Post 5532 in Washingtonville.
"We had a great day," Janet Keene, race director of the Quakertown Super Kids event, said. "The weather cooperated and the kids and the parents had big smiles on their faces. That's the most important thing at the end of the day."
Using specially designed racers with safety in mind, the participants compete in a double elimination competition in one of two categories - the singles division or the doubles division.
One of the dozen or so racers Saturday was East Liverpool resident Patsy Jo McCartney. The 11-year-old returning racer competes in the doubles category where a ghost driver rides along to help steer the cart as it heads down the track. Taylor Grimes was the ghost driver with Patsy Saturday.
Patsy attends Robert Bycroft School and, according to her official bio in the race day program, likes hot rods, motorcycles and her dog and three cats. She rides in the Hard Days Riders car which is sponsored by her father's motorcycle club.
Racers come from all over the area including Canfield, Sebring, New Castle, Salem and Deerfield.
The Salem event will send three riders on to the national competition in Akron set for July 24-26.
"It's a big job to organize something like this, but there are outstanding volunteers and sponsors to help put it all together. I'm thankful for that," Keene said.
"This is a special event because it gives some kids who never have a chance to compete in a sport the opportunity to race and cross a finish line," Keene said. "Plus, it's just a lot of fun."
