Bristol Township Approves Plans For National Soap Box Derby Track

Bristol Township's Council approved a land development waiver at a meeting Thursday that would provide the first steps to build a National Soap Box Derby Track in the Township.

"This was huge," said Ed Preston, Rally Director of the Bucks County Soap Box Derby (BCSBD).

Preston, rally racers and family came to the meeting Thursday to persuade the council to permit the construction of the track on a spot of land behind Bucks County Technical High School in Fairless Hills.

The 114 acre plot of land, formerly the home of the Thiokol Production Facility, will be the site of a 1300-foot track that Preston hopes will attract racers from around the nation.

Thiokol, a now defunct defense contractor, was best known for its involvement in the manufacturing of failed O-rings in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The BCSBD was awarded three consecutive seven-year leases on the land, paying only $1 for each lease.

Preston believes the track will bring business to the Township from around the country.

"If you have 200 racers, that's 200 families with 200 hotel rooms and who need 200 reservations at local restaurants," Preston said.

The waiver is a big win for the BCSBD. Previously the organization required the use of public streets to conduct their races. In past years, they used Woodbourne Road in Levittown, Hulmeville Road in Bensalem and Swamp Road in Newtown.

The group is planning to have five races a year at the track, with attempts to have events and practice races every weekend. The proposed track will accommodate 200 racers and their families with seating, soap box car storage facilities and a concession stand. When the track opens in June 2012, it will be one of the only national tracks on the East Coast.

The earliest estimate for the cost of construction is $450,000 -- much of which comes from donations from both individuals and corporate sponsors.

BCSBD is currently sponsored by several local businesses, including McCafferty Auto-Dealers and the First Federal Bank of Bucks County.

Any child ages eight to 17 can join the derby. All it takes is time, training and an annual $160 fee. The derby provides stock cars for those who don't have their own.

"It's a great sport if you enjoy spending time with your kids," Preston said. "It's all about family working together to accomplish a common goal and at the end, you get to race down a hill really fast, that's the bonus."

If you are interested in getting involved with the derby visit their website.