Cleveland Soap Box Derby 2020

Lakewood Fire Department has been running a Soap Box Derby car for kids for years. This year I went down and checked it out. The Soap Box DerbyŠ is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to build knowledge, character, and create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. all photos property of Lakewood Observer, Inc. Š2020_lakewoodobserver.com

(click photo to enlarge)

  • The Cleveland Soap Box Derby Track.

  • A look down the track.

  • Driving into the paddock.

  • Emma Kochler, gives the Lakewood Fire Department a run down the track.

  • A look down the track. While people smile when they hear Soap Box Derby, the kids are very brave, and good.

  • Imagine getting a push down a hill in a red wagon. Reaching 30 mph, as you hits the bumps and cracks with no suspension.

  • Now think about doing it a decade before you can get a driver's liscense!

  • Steering with handles and wires, whlie barely look forward.

  • And then, just like real racers there are failures. Here the brakes fail!

  • Starting to appreciate what the kids are going through?

  • The Finish Line.

  • And should the brakes fail, there is the gravel trap and catch fencing.

  • At the end, the drivers pick up their cars, and do it again.

  • Alissa Case, pull her Stock class car back to the pits.

  • Let's walk the paddock.

  • Trailers line the entrance, just like the real tracks, with cars from as far away as California!

  • And the cars, simple cars that can be purchased for about $1,500, and beautifully turned out.

  • The Lakewood Fire Deaprtment car looks as good as the fire trucks!

  • Niko Janoco, is running one of the five cars that Tradesman Tavern in Parma runs.

  • Between runs tires are rotated, and car looked and maintained.

  • Emma working with Lakewood Fire Chief Tim Dunphy get the car ready for the next run.

  • Caysen Hayes' car

  • Mom helping with Emma's car.

  • Niko Janoco

  • Riley Gresko

  • Cody Ojeda's car is based on some of the most famous racing colors of all time.

  • Colt Nelman's car reminded me of Racing for Americ'a paint scheme.

  • Laura Smutny with her crew chief, Dad.

  • Justin Sakeaqak

  • A traveling rig, pit frame and alignment tool.

  • Sarah Kolesar, getting wighed in her car with helmet. Sarah drove the Lakewood Fire Deaprtment car in the past.

  • Amy and Stephanie Getz.

  • Finn David from Roacky River with his Stock car.

  • Finn with his crew, aka Mom and Dad.

  • Victor VanRoy feeling a little dangerous!

  • The cars are taken to the top of the hill along with the drivers, and parents.

  • You have to admit, that Lakewood Fire Deparment Car driven by Emma Kochler is stunning.

  • A run from the top. Steep run down to a low area, then over a slight hill then down to the finish.

  • Most races are closer than this! Average distance is in hundreths of a second.

  • Cars run both lanes against the same driver to decide winners.

  • Emma gets edge out by Justin Sakeaqak.

  • Panic!

  • On the brakes too early.

  • Giving up the win, yards from the finish.

  • Close racing all day.

  • Now back to the top of the track, Sam Cochran against Victor VanRoy

  • Emma gets her car ready for the next run, with Chief Dunphy looking on and learning.

  • They load it into the chute. Another trick, perfect line up, every hundreth of a degree matters.

  • Ready

  • Set

  • Go

  • And down the hill.

  • Once they get to the bottom, back to the top for next run.

  • Melanie Arellano against  Andrew Knapp, both drivers from California, and running for the National Rally Championship.

  • Zach Hiller gets into the car.

  • Karylee Murphy gets one least check from Dad.

  • Karylee Murphy

  • Boy that car looks good!

  • Sarah Kolesar gets ready for a run.

  • And she is off.

  • Niko Janoco, with head engineer, aka Dad.

  • Sam Cochran against Hunter Case

  • Aubree Gresko

  • Sam Cochran against Hunter Case

  • Laura Smutny gets ready for a run.

  • Stephanie Getz gets loaded into her car by Dad.

  • Karylee Murphy gets in.

  • Look at these finishes!

  • Look at these finishes!

  • Look at these finishes!

  • Look at these finishes!

  • Alexia Jordan at the end of a run.

  • Emma wins another!

  • Then back to the top of the track.

  • But as in most formas of American motorsports, everyone helps everyone else.

  • Stephanie Getz gets ready for a final run.

  • Can you see the small opening the driver has to look out of. About 1/2 inch at the widest point. Now think of it at 30 mph, bumpy, no suspension, guard rails, and a helmet!

  • Her car and skills to all the talking!

  • A push across the paddock.

  • Head down ready to go.

  • Zach Hiller's championship car.

  • Celina Murty, this is what a Champion l;ooks like!

  • The Roll Call listing the drivers and team from the last 5 years.

  • cut

  • Victor VanRoy

  • Zach Hiller

  • Zach Hiller

  • Zach Hiller

  • cut

  • Move

  • Amy Getz

  • Victor VanRoy

  • One last look at the beautiful Lakewood Fire Department car driven by Emma Kochler.

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