Soap box racing is a family tradition

By SHELBY SCHROEDER

A family racing for charity is also racing to win.

BERLIN CENTER — The Kuebler family could be called soap box racing fanatics.

But for them, zipping down sloping hills is as much about a speedy racer as it is about showing gratitude.

A family of eight, the Kueblers have all, at some point, had a hand in soap box racing, where children and their parents construct small wooden cars that descend from hilltops.

This year, the family’s anticipation is growing for the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron on July 26, where Johanna Kuebler, 16, will be representing Youngstown and a foundation that means a lot to them.

Inspired by a similar group that granted her brother a wish while he awaited a liver transplant, the Western Reserve High School student will compete against kids from around the globe with a Make-A-Wish Foundation car emblem.

“Life isn’t just about being a champion,” said mother Linda Kuebler. “It’s about helping people.”

And though the emblems usually mean the racer received financial sponsorship, Johanna’s car is sporting the Make-A-Wish sticker to raise awareness of the group’s work. This year’s car is actually sponsored in part by the Eye Care Associates, represented by a smaller emblem on the vehicle.

This generation of Kueblers grew fascinated with the sport in part because of Linda’s brother.

Long involved in soap box racing as a youth, uncle Daniel Medvec claimed the title of the Greater Youngstown Area Soap Box Derby champion in 1971. Two years later, the sport vanished from the Youngstown area, to make a comeback 28 years later, in 2000.

The family passion was reborn.

Since then, four of the Kuebler’s six children have raced. But they all have taken part in some way, being a “pit pal,” taking photographs, filling out forms or cheering for their family.

Since area interest in the sport renewed, the family has consciously expressed its real-life passions through their sponsors.

Johanna and her siblings have raced with sponsorship from LifeBanc and the S-M-I-L-E Network. Lifebanc helped her brother Matthew with a liver transplant, and the S-M-I-L-E Network, which hosts cancer support groups, is an organization Linda is fond of.

Linda credits STAT MedEvac, another former sponsor, for its quick actions after her daughter Lindsay was in a car accident that threatened to paralyze her.

With that in mind, soap box derby racing still holds a competitive meaning for three-time division champion Johanna.

“I like competing and speed and making sure I race perfectly,” said Johanna. “I feel bad if I beat [my friends], but I really like to win.”

As for retiring after next season, when she’s 17 and ineligible for competitive racing, Johanna said she’ll stay involved in Soap Box Derby racing. When she’s done, she’ll be in the pit to give her younger sister Haleigh racing tips.

The family also remains thankful to volunteers who brought local racing back to the community.

“Johanna would never have had all this if it wasn’t for all these people giving their time,” Linda said.

sschroeder@vindy.com