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POTTSVILLE — Three dozen young Schuykill County residents raced down Laurel Boulevard in gravity-propelled cars on Saturday for the annual Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby.
The latest edition of the longstanding Pottsville tradition brought together racers of all ages and skill levels, each with a uniquely designed car sponsored by an organization.
Throughout the day, racers took off down the street in a series of double-elimination heats.
Thirty-six racers were signed up for this year’s derby — 16 in the Stock division and 20 in the Super Stock division.
Ultimately, Kathryn Riegle, 9, of Orwigsburg, emerged victorious in the Stock division, while Jace Thomas, 13, of Pottsville, won Super Stock. They will move on to compete in the 87th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby from July 13 to 19 in Akron, Ohio.
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Ernie Scott, left, and William Ebert, right, carry a derby car off the track on Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Racers speed down Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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A driver brings the racers and their vehicles back to the top of Laurel Blvd. for the next race during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Racers speed down Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Grayson Ebert readies to race on Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
Show Caption
1 of 5
Ernie Scott, left, and William Ebert, right, carry a derby car off the track on Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
Expand
The runners-up were Chiara Hoysock, 11, of Schuylkill Haven, for the Stock division; and Breelynn Becker, 14, of Pottsville, for Super Stock.
For one racer, 18-year-old Abiegail Geiger, the event was somewhat bittersweet, as this year was the last time she could take part in the derby.
Geiger, who competed in the Super Stock division this year, was the reigning champion of the Masters division in last year’s Pottsville derby. Since she won that division, she cannot take part in it again, per derby rules, and after this year she will be too old for the other two divisions.
“I’m happy that it’s my last one, but at the same time, I’m going to miss racing,” said Geiger, who has competed in the derby since she was 7.
“I just like racing, and how everybody’s really friendly with each other.”
The divisions refer to the design of the car as well as different weight and age classes.
Stock drivers are between 7 and 13 years old, with the combined weight of the driver, car and wheels not exceeding 200 pounds.
Super Stock cars are slightly heavier, and the drivers must be between 9 and 18 years old.
The Masters division, meanwhile, has a larger, more enclosed vehicle and is designed for more experienced 10- to 20-year-old drivers.
Geiger, a veteran racer in all three divisions, said she enjoys the easier, more accessible setup of the Super Stock cars as compared to Masters.
While the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby normally features all three divisions, this year’s race did not include the Masters division, as many of the previous racers had aged out, according to derby president Barbie Carroll. The Masters division will return for next year’s event.
More than 100 spectators lined Laurel Boulevard, watching the races from under cover of pop-up tents and sitting on lawn chairs. While there were some scattered showers throughout the day, the races proceeded smoothly. Traffic was closed from Second to Seventh streets during the event.
In 2018, Bradeyn Ditzler of Port Carbon won the Masters division at the All-American Soap Box Derby, and a parade was held in his honor on his return. He is believed to be the first racer who qualified from the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby to win a world title.
Results from the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby will appear online and in the Tuesday edition of The Republican Herald.
Continue reading...
The latest edition of the longstanding Pottsville tradition brought together racers of all ages and skill levels, each with a uniquely designed car sponsored by an organization.
Throughout the day, racers took off down the street in a series of double-elimination heats.
Thirty-six racers were signed up for this year’s derby — 16 in the Stock division and 20 in the Super Stock division.
Ultimately, Kathryn Riegle, 9, of Orwigsburg, emerged victorious in the Stock division, while Jace Thomas, 13, of Pottsville, won Super Stock. They will move on to compete in the 87th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby from July 13 to 19 in Akron, Ohio.
*
Ernie Scott, left, and William Ebert, right, carry a derby car off the track on Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
*
Racers speed down Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
*
A driver brings the racers and their vehicles back to the top of Laurel Blvd. for the next race during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
*
Racers speed down Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
*
Grayson Ebert readies to race on Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
Show Caption
1 of 5
Ernie Scott, left, and William Ebert, right, carry a derby car off the track on Laurel Blvd. during the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
Expand
The runners-up were Chiara Hoysock, 11, of Schuylkill Haven, for the Stock division; and Breelynn Becker, 14, of Pottsville, for Super Stock.
For one racer, 18-year-old Abiegail Geiger, the event was somewhat bittersweet, as this year was the last time she could take part in the derby.
Geiger, who competed in the Super Stock division this year, was the reigning champion of the Masters division in last year’s Pottsville derby. Since she won that division, she cannot take part in it again, per derby rules, and after this year she will be too old for the other two divisions.
“I’m happy that it’s my last one, but at the same time, I’m going to miss racing,” said Geiger, who has competed in the derby since she was 7.
“I just like racing, and how everybody’s really friendly with each other.”
The divisions refer to the design of the car as well as different weight and age classes.
Stock drivers are between 7 and 13 years old, with the combined weight of the driver, car and wheels not exceeding 200 pounds.
Super Stock cars are slightly heavier, and the drivers must be between 9 and 18 years old.
The Masters division, meanwhile, has a larger, more enclosed vehicle and is designed for more experienced 10- to 20-year-old drivers.
Geiger, a veteran racer in all three divisions, said she enjoys the easier, more accessible setup of the Super Stock cars as compared to Masters.
While the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby normally features all three divisions, this year’s race did not include the Masters division, as many of the previous racers had aged out, according to derby president Barbie Carroll. The Masters division will return for next year’s event.
More than 100 spectators lined Laurel Boulevard, watching the races from under cover of pop-up tents and sitting on lawn chairs. While there were some scattered showers throughout the day, the races proceeded smoothly. Traffic was closed from Second to Seventh streets during the event.
In 2018, Bradeyn Ditzler of Port Carbon won the Masters division at the All-American Soap Box Derby, and a parade was held in his honor on his return. He is believed to be the first racer who qualified from the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby to win a world title.
Results from the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby will appear online and in the Tuesday edition of The Republican Herald.
Continue reading...
