Soap Box Derby builds memories

Former derby participants
look back at the event with fondness.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — As 89-year-old John Fraser watched the eighth annual Greater Youngstown Area Soap Box Derby, he gazed with a historical perspective.

It was 1934 when Fraser, of Sebring, captured first place in the derby and went on to compete in national competition when it was held in Dayton before moving to Akron.

“We were a pile of wood on wheels,” Fraser recalled as he watched the boys and girls Saturday as they raced down Fifth Avenue on the city’s North Side.

Today’s racers or their sponsors pay $500 to $575 for the kits to build their cars.

It didn’t take Fraser all that long, he said.

The body was made of the wood from an old orange crate he broke apart and reshaped. The steering wheel was off a Chevrolet car he found in the junk yard. The wheels were off a wagon and rope served as the steering mechanism.

The event was sponsored by the former Youngstown Telegram, for which he delivered along with The Vindicator when he lived in Youngstown.

Since the founder of the derby lived in Dayton, that’s where it was held for two years, Fraser recalled. Thirty-six racers competed. Fraser said he is only one of two of those racers still living.

Winners headed for nationals

Now, there are three winners going from the Youngstown derby to the national event in Akron. They are first-place winners in their divisions. Julia Castner of Hubbard will run in the stock division; Johanna Kubler of Berlin Center, super stock; and Jarrod Shook of North Jackson, masters.

Participation in the local event has decreased from more than 50 racers to 36, observed Dennis Tomory, a member of the local derby board of directors.

One of the difficulties is that the adults are too busy with other things going on in their lives and working on their kids’ cars takes time, Tomory said, noting though that the derby is a “great teaching tool.”

Fatiha Abdul-Aziz, 18, of Warren, raced for six years and misses it.

“I wish I was still racing. I love being competitive,” Abdul-Aziz said as she helped others prepare their cars for the downhill run. She works with her father, Mustafa Abdul-Aziz, who recruits drivers and helps them prepare for the race.

A family affair

Haley Martin, 11, of Youngstown, was encouraged by her stepfather, Frank Waldo, to get involved. Her grandfather, Fred Roma, who used to operate a body shop, served as her pit boss. It was Haley’s third year of racing.

It’s a family affair. Frank Waldo III is in his first year of racing at 81⁄2 years old. He got involved in the derby because of his sister’s fondness for it.

Edward Castner of Hubbard urged his daughter Julia to ride the downhill. For practice, they were involved in the Cleveland derby three weeks ago.

It seemed to have paid off for Julia, as she captured first in the stock division.

Castner used to race in the derby. He encouraged his daughter because he owns a towing business and is on the road much of the time.

“It gives her something to do. It gives her quality time with me,” he said, noting he realized his daughter was interested when she wasn’t going to the swimming pool.

yovich@vindy.com