When one hears Soap Box, what do you think? “Our Gang” movie? Soap Box racing came recently to Hopewell Township and specifically, Washington Crossing State Park.
What you may not have known, is that Soap Box is a community event on many levels. The Hopewell Township Recreation Department sponsored the event with cooperation of Washington Crossing State Park and the Hopewell Township Department of Public Works. Once the racers registered, Denise Gutierrez took over. Gutierrez, and her family, procured loaner cars for our racers and families to give the personal touches. Once you’re in the Soap Box community, like many competitive events, teams will lend knowledge, and sometimes parts and tools so everyone can race knowing it’s all on the driver’s best efforts.
Soap Box is sanctioned and operates on a regional and national level. The winners of these races earned a chance to represent Hopewell at the Nationals in Akron, Ohio. The organizers promote equality in the cars using specific guidelines in order to lend to the drivers bravery, smarts, and skill for success. Drivers, boys and girls together, compete in divisions determined by age and weight classes: Stock, Super Stock and Master.
Having fun is the first rule of the day. The competitive spirit runs high along with good sportsmanship.
This year’s winners were the following:
Stock
1st place – Allie Ananian
2nd place – Jackson Ananian
3rd place – Connor Weed
Super Stock
1st place – Mason Tramontana
2nd place – Alexis Ananian
3rd place – Missy Hoover
Masters
1st place: Ian Jameson
2nd place – A J Silvestri
3rd place -]ordan Vasquez
Article and photos by Paul Domboski
