Indoor soapbox racing set in Sharon, Pa.

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

news@vindy.com

SHARON, Pa.

Children from throughout the country are heading to Sharon for a chance to do some indoor soapbox- derby racing.

“We’ve got kids coming from all over this weekend,” said Derek Fitzgerald, president of Zero Error Racing. Zero Error is sponsoring the event, which is sanctioned by National Derby Rallies, Inc.

The event is Saturday and Sunday at 249 Wheeler St. Racing begins at 9 a.m. and continues until all competitors have been double- eliminated and first place has been awarded.

Kids from as far away as Iowa, Georgia and New Jersey have registered.

“We’re going to have a pretty good turnout,” Fitzgerald said.

Competitors will race in four divisions: stock, the entry-level division for age 7 to 14; super stock and AA masters, both for those age 12 to 21; and a fun-run for children with special needs. The children in the fun run navigate the course with an experienced co-driver.

A ramp has been built in a warehouse for the event, Fitzgerald said. The competitors come down the ramp and go about 200 feet before crossing the finish line.

“It’s not as fast as a street or a permanent track,” Fitzgerald said.

But, he noted, it is indoors, meaning kids can get an earlier start on the sport than typical in a climate with cold and wet weather part of the year.

The money raised through entry fees for the event benefits the NDR national event to take place July 25 through 31 in Akron.

To participate in the national event, children must compete in four NDR sanctioned races. Those who participate in the upcoming event are one step closer to that goal. The public is invited to watch the Sharon event free of charge.

“We hope anybody interested in soapbox derby will stop in and check it out,” Fitzgerald said.

The NDR was organized in 1977. NDR-sanctioned races take place across the United States and Canada nearly every weekend from Easter to Thanksgiving.

Zero Error Racing provides high-performance racing products for soapbox-derby racing, bobsleds, quarter-midget racing, junior dragster racing and racing karts.