(Pictured- BID Board members Jim Krencik(left), Chris Suozzi (right) and BID Director Shannon Maute(middle)
The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District has revealed a new design of boxcar to be used in the 2nd Annual BID Boxcar Derby on Saturday August 26th. Registration is June 2nd and June 3rd (See poster below)
Kids ages 7-10 and 11-13 will be provided a fiberglass shell to decorate and there will be two build days scheduled where kids will learn how to assemble axles, steering and brakes for their boxcars. Volunteers will be on hand to assist kids and their families.
Two new ramps with a hydraulic mechanism will be used to release the cars at the start of the race at the top of Ellicott Avenue. The road will be closed at Washington Avenue the day of the race. There will be two championship races, one for each age group. Check in is at 7:45am and races start at 8:30a.m. with the 11–13-year-old group going first.
This year 48 participants can register to race. The cost is $20 per child and includes the boxcar.
According to BID, the boxcars were leased from the Greater Rochester Soap Box Derby with President Mark Scuderi’s help.
Thanks to frontrunner sponsor Alex’s Place along with “Go for the Gold” Sponsors Graham Manufacturing, WNY Concrete and Sheet Metal Workers Local 46, the cost is $20 per child and includes the boxcar.
“The BID Boxcar Derby is one of my favorite events because it’s for the kids,” says Shannon Maute, BID Director.
“Seeing the smiles on their faces as they race down the street reminds me of the happiest moments of my childhood. It’s something that all of our business owners have, a memory that inspired them. So many people came out to join us last year and already want to help out this year. I think this is what we’re creating with this event, a community.”
(Pictured- BID Board members Jim Krencik, Chris Suozzi and BID Director Shannon Maute with Joe Zanghi) Board members not pictured-Lauren Becht, Lydia Schauf, Marian Pautler, Matt Gray, Gail Tenney, Sara Tenney, Jay Gsell and John Roche.
VIDEO-Champion Racer Joe Zanghi sharing his memories of building his own boxcar in the early 50’s after spotting the new boxcars on Main Street today.
80-year-old Joe Zanghi of East Bethany was a Soap Box Derby Champion in Mt. Morris from 1952-1957 and put together his first car when he was 10 years old. Today, Joe happened to be in the area and spotted the new boxcar during a press conference in front of Eli Fish on Main Street.
Committee Member Chris Suozzi with Mt. Morris Soap Box Champion Joe Zanghi, 80, who spotted the new boxcars in front of Eli Fish today–Joe says he is a first cousin to Chris’ father Joseph.
The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District brought back the popular event last year with the help of Committee member Chris Suozzi whose father Joseph was the 1951 Box Car Derby Champion when he was 12 years old.
The event is dedicated to Joseph P. Suozzi, Patrick Suozzi and Teresa R. Suozzi. Winners of the annual derby will be listed each year on the Suozzi Memorial Plaque.