Credit: Erich Martin/Levittownnow.com
The annual Soap Box Derby raced down Woodbourne Road in Middletown on Saturday as young people took to the street to prove their mettle as derby drivers.
Stepbrothers Ernie Kostner III, 15, and Dominic Fleming, 13, have been taking part in the races since they were 8 and 7, respectively. Their car handlers are Ernie Kostner Jr. and Mike Cimino, Fleming’s grandfather.
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On Saturday, the stepbrothers raced against each other for the second time.
“It’s fun and it is a competition. It also helps you to get out and meet new people,” Fleming said.
For both of the boys, participation is a family tradition. Their sister raced and went on to the world championships in Akron, Ohio, on two occasions.
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If racers finish first in their local races, they can move on to the next stage in the derby circuit.
Being part of the derby racing community goes a long way in keeping familial bonds strong, explained Cimino.
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“You have to put in a little time together,” he said.
Fleming mentioned that racing gives the kids a reason to get outside and away from the screens of their TVs and phones.
“It helps you to get off of your phone and get outside,” Fleming said.
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The sibling rivalry culminates three generations of family in a single race.
“These guys might not realize it, but they have a lot of knowledge behind them,” Kostner Jr., said.
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The handlers offer recommendation and strategy ideas until the kids get in the car. After that, they are all on their own and zooming down Woodbourne Road.
Fleming took the first race between the duo with a lead of more than a second.
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The strategy, Kostner III said, comes from knowing the track and taking weather into consideration. Skilled racers know how to ebb and change course in minor ways to keep up speed.
The organization is always looking for more racers to get involved, said Kim McCauley, the derby director. If you want to get involved in the derby races, call McCauley at 267-981-2255.
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In addition to getting more racers involved, Bucks County Soap Box Derby is trying to get school districts involved by offering STEM curriculum pieces to local schools.
