Soapbox Derby Showcases Statewide Talent

When handling a soapbox derby racer, the advantages are in the wheels.

"(You) can win by a thousandth of a second,'' said Charlie Miller, of Keyport.

On Sunday, the annual New Brunswick Soap Box Derby was held for kids from all over the state. It is the qualifying event that sends winning racers to the national races in July.

Miller's two daughters, Meredith, 15, and Julianne, 12, are both soapbox derby racing champions for the state of New Jersey.

Experience is another advantage, said Meredith.

"The lower you get in the car, the less wind resistance,'' she said. "The lower you are, the faster you go.''

The Miller sisters were two of 35 racers between the ages of 8 through 17 competing Sunday.

Races were held in three divisions - stock, super stock and masters. Racers paired up two at a time to race down two lanes on the street, winning and losing by fractions of a second in some cases.

Families tinkered with racers bearing names like "Cherry Bomb," "Deathmobile" and "Miracle in Any Lane," which were raced down the incline of Johnson Drive, next to the Johnson & Johnson headquarters, the event's primary sponsor, along with Turtle & Hughes. New Brunswick Recreation hosted the event, which was paired with a classic car show held in the parking lot of the Johnson & Johnson building by Hollywood Night Cruisers.

"You never see a kid racing (a soapbox derby racer) without a smile on their face,'' said Mike Blackwell, recreation department director.

For the second go around, lanes were switched and wheels were taken off cars and put on other cars, to remove any possible advantages, Miller said.

Winners of the competition will represent the state of New Jersey at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.

The winners were: Noah Ratliff of New Brunswick (New Brunswick Stock Champ),  Nina Marie Amadeo of Middletown (New Brunswick Super Stock Champ), Patrick Flynn of Warren (New Brunswick Master Champ) and Meredith Miller of Keyport (Rally Champ).

Tony Santullo of Berkeley Heights, supported his daughters, Lauren, 16  and Kristen, 12, as they competed in separate divisions.

Santullo said the cars are built from kits, which cost between $500-$600. Several racers were sponsored by local businesses and organizations, and boasted the names on their racers.

Santullo, a derby racer in his youth, said his father used to oversee races in northern NJ. Now his daughters do it, and they've also gone as far as the Akron finals.

"It's really a great family thing,'' he said. "It's about friendly competition."

When asked what her favorite part of the process was, Meredith Miller said the best part was the final product.

"The fun part is definitely going down the hill,'' she said.