Memories of the Riant Theatre
July 30, 2013Talkin’ Music with Jack
August 22, 2013Finally, Soap Box Derby Greatness
Finally, Soap Box Derby Greatness
By Jack Coll
August 9, 2013
Conshohocken was introduced to soap box gravity racing cars back in 1938 when Walt Cherry claimed the Conshohocken championship on Spring Mill Avenue in front of 5,000 spectators. In 1952 Conshohocken became affiliated with the All American Soap Box Derby located in AkronOhio. Every year since 1952 Conshohocken has sent their local champion to Akron to compete against other champions from around the country for the national title. An interesting note, the All American organization from 1935 into the 1970’s was called the “The Greatest Racing Event in the World for Boys”, everyone knew girls couldn’t drive a soap box car.
Since 1952 more than 2, 700 children have raced in Conshohocken, and during those 62 years of racing Conshohocken has produced 122 Conshohocken Champions in various divisions. Each of those 122 local Champions made the seven hour drive up the Pennsylvania Turnpike crossing into Ohio to compete in the All American International Soap Box Derby. Our local champs racing in Akron have managed to place on a handful of occasions in the top nine including a second place finish by Jennifer Snyder in 1978, and a second place finish by Natalie Burkert in 2012.
On July 27, of this year Erin Donovan, daughter of Bo and Christine, made her second appearance at the All American in Akron and raced through the rain to a National Championship, Conshohocken’s first. Erin is nine years old and attends EaglevilleElementary School. Erin has been around Soap Box racing cars her entire life growing up watching her brother Liam race, Liam won the Stock Division Conshohocken race in 2010 and raced in the All American Race in Akron that year.
Erin and Liam’s parents are both veteran racers, Bo and Christine ran the Fayette Street track back in the late 1980’s. In 1988 Bo and Christine faced off against each other and Bo won the Senior Division Championship and a trip to Akron while Christine won a Third Place trophy for her efforts. Whispers ran through the borough that Christine let Bo win the race back in 88, they proved to be un-founded rumors even though Christine’s brake pad was seen smoking around Seventh Avenue.
Erin’s road to the National Championship wasn’t an easy one, she became the Region 8 Rally Champ by attending rally’s throughout the year traveling from Connecticut to Virginia. On the morning of the race in Akron a steady rain fell on the hill, creating a wheel drag particularly in lanes one and three as the water drained from the track. Erin by luck of the draw was forced to race in all three lanes throughout the day, winning in every lane. The final heat came around three o’clock in the afternoon, the rain had slowed to a steady drizzle. Erin lined up with two rally friends for the championship, Katelyn Harris from RoanokeVirginia, and Brooke Strand from New MilfordConnecticut.
As the three cars crossed the finish line at 35 miles per hour there was no clear cut winner and the judges needed 30 seconds to check the photograph at the finish line. For members of the Donovan family those 30 seconds seemed like an hour and thirty minutes and then the announcement came, “Lane Two, Erin Donovan”. What that announcement really said was “Finally, Conshohocken has a National Champion”. It took 62 years, Erin lifted that trophy (not really) for all the racers who ever climbed into a soap box derby car in Conshohocken, and had dreams of winning the All American Race, the no longer “Greatest Racing Event in the World for Boys”.
On August 5, a Conshohocken parade featured a number of Conshohocken Champions including Erin Donovan, Vinny Orler, Natalie Burkert, and Lauren Burkert. The parade started at the Washington Fire Company located on West Elm Street, traveled the entire length of Fayette Street with horns and sirens blaring, before finishing at the former E. F. Moore’s at Twelfth Avenue and Fayette Street.
On August 7, a party at the Elmwood Park Zoo in honor of Erin’s National Championship brought together 125 of Erin’s closest friends and relatives, along with a who’s who in the local soap box derby circles to celebrate Erin’s race to glory, although Erin sat in the car at the starting line in Akron with a light rain falling, she raced not only for her, but for her entire family, and for the borough of Conshohocken..
Soap Box This & That
Natalie Burkert, who came within a whisker of the All American Championship a year ago in the Super Stock Division placed fifth in Akron this year, perhaps a dry race track might have had Natalie sitting in the winner’s circle.
When Erin Donovan lined up in lane two for the final race of the day, Katelynn Harris from RoanokeVirginia was on one side of her and Brooke Strand from New MilfordConnecticut was on the other side. The three finalists have been friends for a number of years having participated in year round rallies, the threesome have forged a wonderful friendship. Katelynn Harris placed second and Brooke Strand placed third, there’s always next year for Erin’s friends.
Since females were permitted to race in the early 1970’s, they have won 52 Conshohocken Championships on the Fourth of July, their male counterparts have managed 49 Championships. Janine Myers was the first female Conshohocken Champion winning in 1976. Janine’s father Ed knows a little bit about soap box derby cars, Janime’s brother Ed holds the fastest track time in AkronOhio during the All American Race set in 1974, the record still stands today. Donna Donovan was the first local female to race for the championship back in 1973, only she lost to Dennis Donovan, her brother.
The very first female to ever win the All American was Karen Stead out of Lower Bucks County, she not only won the All American Event back in 1975, but she did it with a dislocated thumb. In 1975 girls won five of the top nine spots with Karen on top. Karen’s dislocated thumb forced her to wear a cast on her arm from her thumb nearly up to her elbow. She dislocated the joint just before the race during a water balloon fight with other local champs.
Erin Donovan’s grandfather Bill, raced in the Conshohocken derby just before the Civil War broke out in 1859, no wait a minute, Bill raced in 1959 shortly after the Korean War had settled. I was wondering just how far back 1959 was and well! Father Knows Best and 77 Sunset Strip were big hits on television. Kansas City, Mack the Knife, and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes were on the music charts, Ben-Hur, and one of Bill’s favorite movies Some Like it Hot was playing at the Riant Theatre. I’m guessing that Bill couldn’t keep his car straight on the track because during the three years he raced 1959-1961, I never saw his name in the winner’s circle.
Many Thanks to Erin, during an interview with her just before the big parade on August 5, I asked her if she could use her celebrity and PULL, to get me on the parade float, and she quickly made arrangements for me. I had a wonderful time riding up Fayette Street on the back of a big rig generously supplied by Janeway Towing, I was smiling and waving to the crowd, residents seemed to be clapping and cheering for me, it was a wonderful ride.
