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Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:55 PM EST
Bradford man looks to rev up interest in Soap Box Derby
By KATE DAY SAGER
Olean Times Herald
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| Brad Skaggs (left) and Steve Feldman are two of the organizers of the upcoming All-American Soap Box Derby that will be open to all kids from the Twin Tier region. The car shown here was the one Mr. Feldman's son, Justin, raced in Auburn, N.Y. Photo by KATE DAY SAGER/Olean Times Herald |
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BRADFORD, Pa. - Steve Feldman remembers the fun he had with his son, Justin, when the two of them participated in a Soap Box Derby eight years ago in Auburn, N.Y.
The Bradford businessman hopes to see some of the magic he and his son experienced passed on to other parents and their children by sponsoring an All-American Soap Box Derby event on May 31. The event is open to all boys and girls from ages 8 to 17 from the Twin Tier region in Pennsylvania and New York.
Mr. Feldman, Elm Street Manager Lisa Campogiani and several others are organizing the event.
Mr. Feldman said an informational meeting for the derby will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Room 232 of Bradford Area High School on Interstate Parkway. All drivers, interested families, supporters and sponsors are welcome to attend.
"We're looking for as many people as possible who we can get involved in this," he said.
Mr. Feldman, who owns the Byllye Lanes bowling center in Bradford, said he has been interested in starting up a Soap Box Derby since moving to the area from New York state a number of years ago. He said another organization in town had proposed to sponsor the derby a few years ago but wasn't able to follow through.
Soap Box Derby events were held on North Center Street in Bradford from the early 1950s to the late 1960s, and once again in 1972. The first-place winners went on to the national race held in Akron, Ohio.
Mr. Feldman said that during his son's participation in the event held in Auburn, they had a great time in both making the car and racing it.
"We didn't win or do all that well but we enjoyed it and it was good," he said.
Mr. Feldman said he was helped with the sponsorship of the event by Joe Mangione, owner of Mastercraft Auto Parts in Bradford. Brad Skaggs, an employee at Byllye Lanes, also is helping organize the event.
"I have people in the community who are interested in sponsoring kids" with the fees involved with making a vehicle, Mr. Feldman said. He said the event expects to have at least 12 cars for the two divisions of the race, Stock, for kids age 8 to 13, and Super Stock, for 10- to 17-year-olds.
He said there also will be a number of workshops held to help parents and their children learn how to build the cars.
"The whole thing behind the Soap Box Derby is to get the families together and getting kids to learn how to finish a project," Mr. Feldman said.
Regarding her role with the derby, Ms. Campogiani said the Elm Street project's goal is to revitalize the downtown area.
"North Center Street (race area) is right in the heart of the Elm Street project," Ms. Campogiani said. "This is everything we're trying to do, it's a perfect fit ... it's not just about fixing up houses but we're also trying to change attitudes and get people to take ownership in the downtown area."
For more information on the event or the informational meeting call (814) 558-0669, or visit www.allamericansoapboxderby.com or www.elmstreetbradford.com.
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