Soap box derby racing in Souderton went dormant after 1973… the absence lasting for the next 25 years. Then in the late 1990s, the Board of Trade led by Univest, Moyer & Son, Shelly’s, Leidy’s, and several other local businesses intent on a re-awakening, brought it back to life. A handful of parents including Ed Hodgson, Jim Nederostek, Judy and Jeff Kehr, Bruce Vogel, and Jim Pike formed and developed the Indian Valley Soap Box Association to plan, organize, and run the races soon to re- emerge on Main St. In 1998 the first race was run, though many changes could be noticed from the earlier days. The derby was now officially sanctioned by the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron. This meant that annual winners from Souderton and towns around the country would be invited to participate in the national championship races at Derby Downs in Ohio.
Cars were now provided in complete kit form so that all competitors would race cars built of the exact same design and materials. A 22-page rulebook now detailed every facet of the sport. Girls- formerly prohibited from national racing until 1971- were now heartily welcomed. In 1999 Souderton began running 2 classes- ‘stock’ and ‘super stock’- the latter being larger, heavier cars to accommodate the size of growing drivers. Wheel, brake, and steering designs were improved and the Main St. track shortened by 3 blocks with a new starting line at Central Ave. For many, racing became a family sport with parents, grandparents, and siblings working together to support their young participants.
By 2002 soap box racing had become so popular in Souderton, that in addition to the All-American Derby on Main Street in June, a ‘Fall Rally’ was held on 2nd Street. This race was sanctioned by National Derby Rallies, a separate organization for Derby racing. The ‘speed’ of 2nd St. attracted drivers throughout the region to race for points required to compete in the yearly NDR National Championship held in rotating cities across the nation.
Following the Souderton race in 2017, participation and the support of local volunteers to organize and manage the Derby, control traffic, set-up and tear down the course began to waver. Finally, it was decided to move the races to Ninth St. in Perkasie where the neighboring community welcomed the annual event. Under the direction of current IVSBA President Marc DeRosa, races were held in 2018 and ’19, then canceled in the next 2 years due to Covid concerns. This years’ annual race was held on June 4, 2022. Information regarding the 2023 Derby will soon be available at: https://www.soapboxderby.org/indian-valley.asp.
WINNERS: Annual race returns to Main St. under Indian Valley Soap Box Association
1998- Eddie Hodgson
(1999- 2 classes, STOCK & SUPER-STOCK established)
1999- Katie Gifford, SS- Greg Seuren
2000- Andrew Pike, SS- Katie Gifford
2001- Douglas Vogel, SS- Jimmy Fritz
2002- Tarah Isabella, SS- James Kehr
2003- Daniel Vogel, SS- Eddie Hodgson
2004- Patrick Pike, SS- Christine Yarmolyuk
2005- Brooke Harrar, SS- Douglas Vogel
2006- Alex Bisignano, SS- TJ Mayberry
2007- East: Allyson Pike, SS- Tarah Isabella West: Josh Freed, SS- Dan Vogel
2008- East: Cassie Flor, SS- Madalyn Slook West: Tyler Fleck, SS- Patrick Pike
2009- Alex Motto, SS- Allyson Pike
2010- Paige Fleck, SS- Tyler Fleck
2011- East: Adrianna Fleck West: Ryan Goshow, SS- Ashley Slack
2012- Eric Rodgers, SS- Alex Motto
2013- Olivia Steidle, SS- Justin Goshow
2014- Riley Goshow, SS- Mitchell Miller
2015- Ava Steidle, SS- Ryan Goshow
2016- Luke Kolumber, SS- Lindsay Henning
2017- Ben Slack, SS- Olivia Steidle
*Annual Race moved from Main St, Souderton to Ninth St., Perkasie:
2018- Frank Pileggi Jr., SS- Ava Seidle
2019- Elijah Bleazard, SS- Alex Spisak
2020 & 2021 – Canceled due to Covid
2022- Dominic Dinardo, SS- Kaleigh Spisak
The RACING PRIDE OF SOUDERTON: National Champs from the local community
Winning the Souderton Derby has never been an easy task. Countless hours are spent preparing each car to achieve ideal weight distribution, wheel and axle alignment, and optimal aerodynamics. Driving skills that take advantage of the natural curvature and imperfections of the road surface are essential. There have been many great performances over the years, but none more laudable than those of 3 young local racers who have gone on to win 3 different Soap Box Derby championships, competing with the best drivers nationally and from around the world.
2002- All-American Soapbox Derby World Rally SS Champion- Jimmy Fritz
2002- National Derby Rallies SS Champion – James Kehr
2009- All-American Soapbox Derby World Rally Stock Champion- Tyler Fleck
The thrill of the Main St. soap box racing experience is difficult to understand for those unfamiliar with the adventure and spine-tingling reward of speeding downhill enveloped by the sun and wind, sitting a few inches off the ground, feeling the vibration and bump of every irregularity in the pavement, hearing the whirl of wheel bearings spinning faster and faster, and sensing pure joy when the gravity-driven car reaches a near-perfect hum halfway down the hill. With much appreciation for the effort of sponsors, civic groups, police, firemen, borough administrators and employees, and the many volunteers who made it possible for hundreds of local youngsters to enjoy, the excitement of soap box racing on Main St. will always top the list of fond memories for many of us growing up in Souderton.
The writer would like to also extend a special note of thanks to those whose past articles and current memories have helped validate information provided herein, confirming names and dates, suppling photos, etc. including drivers, writers and photographers affiliated with the Souderton Independent, past and present officers of the Indian Valley Soap Box Association, and Richard Detwiler for his help verifying key information.
