UPDATE: 'Derby lady' preps for special kids' race day
Herald Staff Writer SHARON — Published April 13, 2009 03:20 pm
Pam Dorfi met a couple the other day
and, when Ms. Dorfi told them her name, the woman said, “Oh,
you’re the derby lady.”
“It’s coming together,” she said,
adding that she is more relaxed this year than she was last
year, when she didn’t know if she could pull off her dream.“It’s
coming together,” she said, adding that she is more relaxed this
year than she was last year, when she didn’t know if she could
pull off her dream.
Ms. Dorfi is hoping to double the
number of racers. Twenty-seven braved the hill last year, and
she wants 40 to 50 to catch the thrill this year. So far, 11
applications have come in.
Organizers had five more cars built,
bringing the total to 15. The cars are decorated with sponsor
decals, just like NASCAR racers.
The Elks will hold a spaghetti dinner
to raise money for the Sharon derby from 1 to 5 p.m. May 3 at
their building at 260 Connelly Blvd., Sharon. Takeouts will be
available.
Donations may be made to Greater
Pennsylvania Super Kids in care of Shenango Valley Foundation,
33 Chestnut St., Sharon 16146.
DOWNHILL DERRING-DO
“Look out world” derby driver boasts
By Matt Snyder Herald Staff Writer SHARON — Published JUNE 29, 2008
From the time he woke up Saturday morning, the soap box derby on East State Street in Sharon was on Patrick Gelesky’s mind, his father said. “I’m going to get in that soapbox derby car, and then look out world,” Patrick said, waiting alongside his dad, Robert, and his brother, Nicklaus, for his chance to race. Patrick is a clear racing fan, sporting the derby’s T-shirt and a pair of Dupont racing pants. His dad said Patrick likes to watch races. It was Sharon’s first Super Kids soap box derby, an event held for kids with physical disabilities. Many children waited at the sidelines in wheelchairs or on crutches, strapping on blue racing helmets or keeping them on hand. Racers came from all over, said organizer Debbie Hunsicker: Youngstown, Erie, New Castle, and other parts of western Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hunsicker is a longtime organizer for another derby out of Akron, but offered to lend a hand in putting together Sharon’s first race. Zakkary Marriotti had been waiting nearly two months for his change to race down East State, from Forker Boulevard to Stambaugh Avenue. “He’s excided,” said his mother, Lisa Marriotti. Zakkary was confident he had a little bit of virtual driving experience already. “X-Box doesn’t count,” his mom joked. Zakkary likes to play NASCAR games on the console. But Zakkary predicted the soap box derby would beat out his video game: “It’s going to be awesome.” Lauren Plummer, who made the drive along with her parents from Oil City, said it was the pre-race butterflies she was worried about. “I just hope I don’t get the weird tickling feeling in my stomach. I hate that feeling.” “She’s just happy to be here,” said her mother, Barb Plummer. “It’s nice just to have something all about her.” The route was lined with onlookers and bales of straw decorated with racing flags and American flags. The drivers, ages 8 to 17, took turns racing side-by-side downhill in a double-elimination contest so that every child got a chance to race at least twice, said lead organizer Pam Dorfi. “We need to see them smile twice,” she said. First place was taken by Gerry Petras from Campbell, Ohio. Coming in second was Zachary Wilson, Albion, Pa., and Lauren Plummer was third. It was all about seeing the kids’ smiles as they zoomed down the hill, Ms. Dorfi said. She organized the event on behalf of Sharon Elks Lodge 103. She said the Elks had helped sponsor a New Castle event four years ago and decided this year that Sharon was big enough to hold one of its own. And the community pitched in to make it happen, Ms Dorfi said. People donated, assembled or painted cars and sponsored the race. Ms. Dorfi said the event turned into a very large race for Sharon’s relative size. New Castle’s first race attracted about six contestants, she said, compared to the 29 who signed up in Sharon Saturday. Part of that recruitment boost came through the Elks, which run a volunteer nursing program, she said. That put the word out, and people responded. Among those who helped put the race together were sponsor Henry P. Nemenz, owner of Sharon’s Save-a-Lot, and Rick Taylor, owner of Advanced Autobody, Ms. Dorfi said. Organizers from other Super Kids races also pitched in from the very start, she said.
Soap box derby has special meaning; Special needs kids can ride in race
Written by By Joe Pinchot Herald Staff Writer SHARON — Published March 21, 2008 09:41 pm
Every time Pam Dorfi sees it, she cries. And, every time the Hermitage woman sees it, it reaffirms what she’s doing. The video shows last summer’s soap box derby race in New Castle, where special needs children got to ride in the pint-sized autos with derby participants.“ Those kids never smiled so much as they did coming down that hill,” said Ms. Dorfi, who is organizing a derby on behalf of Sharon Elks Lodge 103 for special needs kids. The Greater Pennsylvania Super Kids will be held June 28 on East State Street in Sharon. Registration is free. Although the race is designed for fun and to give the kids a chance to do something they probably would not otherwise get to do, it falls under the rules of the All-American Soap Box Derby. The winner will get to compete at the All-American Rally Championship July 26 in Akron, Ohio. Ms. Dorfi has helped out at races in New Castle the last three years, and recruited riders through a home nursing program for special needs children that the Elks raise money for. Unlike with the regular derby, the special needs kids do not drive. They are strapped in to ride with experienced derby drivers. While the program is new to Mercer County, Ms. Dorfi has found a large pool of people willing to help pull it off. Sharon Mayor Bob Lucas offered the city’s help and pulled in the Shenango Valley Foundation, which set up a fund and has helped with fundraising, and Harry P. Nemenz of Save-A-Lot, Sharon, which has signed on as corporate sponsor. Derek Fitzgerald of Zero Error Racing Inc., Sharon, donated three derby cars and is making the starting gate, and Bruce Hunsicker of Akron, who is on the national board, is rounding up trained drivers and has provided organizational advice. “It’s really taking off,” Ms. Dorfi said. “Everything has just pulled together. I’ve had so many people call and say, ‘I heard about this. What can I do to help?’ ” The race, which will be insured, will start at 1 p.m., following a parade, and State Street will be blocked off between Forker Boulevard and Stambaugh Avenue. Sharon High School’s handicapped accessible rest rooms will be open. The derby will be a double elimination format. “The kids will probably go down three or four times, not just once,” Ms. Dorfi said. “You can’t send these kids down that hill just once.” The winner gets an all-expenses paid trip to Akron for the finals, including two nights in a hotel, meals and a ball game. Ms. Dorfi is hoping to attract 20 kids to race, but will be able to handle more.
Welcome
Written by Bruce Hunsicker March 2008
Speaking for myself, as the race director for the National Super Kids Classic, the Soap Box Derby race for special needs children, and also a 2006 inductee in the All-American Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame, let me state how pleased and proud that I am to welcome the Sharon Pa. area into this most worthwhile event. Pam Dorfi and B.P.O.E. Lodge 103, Sharon Elks have been staunch supporters of this event both as assisting with local races in the western Pa. area as well as sponsoring a derby car in the national race. It is without this type of financial and manpower assistance that this type of derby racing could not take place on an annual basis. In 2007, for the first time in our short five year history, the national race was held in conjunction with the storied All-American and International race in Akron. For 2008, this same format will be adhered to. The actual race will be held at Derby Downs, Akron, OH. on Friday, July 25 with the top six finalists being held for the big race on July 26. With the addition of Sharon as a "new" race city, along with at least seven others, we expect a field of 70+ Super kids from California to Main, Iowa to Florida, and possibly our first international contestant from Japan. Once more, a big THANK YOU to the people of Sharon Pa. for all of their hard work and dedication to the special needs children of your area. The National Super Kids are pleased and proud to welcome you aboard!
BHH
Connect With Us
Pam Dorfi, pdorfi@roadrunner.com
Phone: 724-347-6009 or 724-301-0690