A Soap Box Derby car sponsored by Nazareth College and operated by a Spencerport eighth grader made good runs in the June Rochester area Soap Box Derby. The car, operated by 12-year-old Danielle Struble, made its inaugural run at the derby, winning three out of five races in the Super Stock West Division. The vehicle is owned by Danielle's father, Lee, who is Nazareth's director of Safety and Security. "The Rochester Soap Box Derby was a great experience," said Danielle, who is entering eighth grade at Cosgrove Middle School in Spencerport. "I like doing the soap box derby ... because it is so much fun flying down the hill." According to Lee, Nazareth's car is an official Super Stock Kit Car, which can exceed speeds of over 30 miles per hour. Its construction is simple: a plastic shell, attached to a precut floor board, with four wheels and a steering and brake assembly. Lee and Danielle painted the car, using Nazareth's official colors. The shell sports a metallic purple design, with gold trim, while the wheels are painted white. On both sides of the shell is the college's Golden Flyer Athletics logo. The car's number is 51, Danielle's lucky number. "She's a great driver," said Lee, regarding his daughter. "Although it takes three or four years to break in a car, she already knows what she's doing. We can't wait till next year's derby." In addition to her participation in soccer, basketball, and softball, Danielle has been racing soap box cars for four years. Last year, she swept the Stock West Division of the local derby, advancing to the world championship in Akron, Ohio. Danielle plans to continue competing until age 16, which is the traditional cut-off mark for this kind of racing. |
