Conshohocken Preps for Derby Day

Volunteers lined Fayette Street on Wednesday night near borough hall, prepping it for a downhill race.

There’s no dino-juice involved in this race. 

The Conshohocken Ambucs will host its Soap Box Derby on the morning of July 4. The race, in its 62nd installment, will feature 32 kid racers — down a bit from previous years according to Derby assistant director Leo Costello.

Costello, a lifelong Conshohocken resident, stood at the corner of 8th Avenue and Fayette Street — the race’s startling line — along with his brother John.

“A lot of work goes into this each year,” Leo said. “And it all comes to a head tomorrow morning.”

“It takes all year to plan this,” John said. “We get December, January and maybe Februrary off —

“If we’re lucky,” Leo Costello said jokingly.

The race is broken into two divisions: stock and super sport. The weight limit for each car is 240 pounds, including the driver. The winning racers will have the opportunity to compete in the 76th Annual All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio on July 27. It comprises more than 550 qualifiers from 40 states.

Lifelong resident Glen Smith was one of a handful of volunteers helping to put plastic orange fencing along the sidewalks of Fayette Street. Smith said he has two sons participating in Thursday’s race — a 12 year old and an 11 year old. And both have been involved in the derby for three years.

“There’s a lot of work involved with the cars and with the setup of the race, but it’s all worth it. It’s all for the kids,” Smith said.

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Leo Costello said Fayette Street near 8th Avenue will be closed at about 5 a.m. Pre-race ceremonies begin at 9 a.m.