Four from area in soap box derby finals

The 70th All -American Soap Box Derby Championship Race will take place SaturdayJuly 21at the Derby Downs in Akron with four Mahoning Valley racers competing.

Racing in the masters division will be 17 year old Jarrod Shookok of North Jackson,racing in the superstock division will be 15 year old Johanna Keublerok of Berlin Center and racing in the stock division will be 11 year old Julia Castnerok of Hubbard. In the Rally Race champhionship, 17 year old Jamie Berndtokof Canfield will race in the masters division.

To qualify for this race, contestants must win their local city race, in the case of the All-american race, or accumulate a significant amount of points based on performance in unofficial races around the country, in the case of the rally race. In all, 519 racers will take the track Sat. The race is schedualed to begin at 9 a.m.

Spokesman for the soab box derby championship, Bob Troyer, said the contestants have been in Akron all week preparing to compete and participating in a variety of activities including and an Akron Aeros baseball game and an historic derby car display.

“It is an opportunity for families to spend quality time together,” Troyer said.

The event will close with an awards presentation Sat. evening at University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall.