Family bonds while earning soap box derby laurels

For most participants, a single trip to the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio would probably be the highlight of their downhill racing careers.

Yet for John and Janine Strand's four daughters, residents of New Milford, qualifying for the annual world championships has been a family tradition for 10 years.

This summer, three of them experienced the thrill of racing before a crowd of thousands of people.

The two oldest, 13-year-old Peyton and 17-year-old Michelle, placed third and fourth, respectively, in the masters and super stock divisions, the best showing by a team of sisters since 1999, according to their father.

"I'm living Akron through my children," John Strand said, who dreamed of going to Akron when he was young enough to race, but never finished higher than fifth.

Each year since 2002, when eldest daughter Megan, now 21 and a student at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, earned her first trip to Akron, the family has had at least one of their daughters earn a spot in the championships.

Michelle, a senior at New Milford High School, has raced at the derby in Akron seven times, placing in the top five finishers on three occasions. Peyton, who will soon enter eighth grade at Schaghticoke Middle School in September, was making her fourth trip, while 10-year-old Brooke was racing in Akron for the second time.

"It was exciting racing this year because I always watched my older sisters," she said.

Brooke finished third in this year's "Strand Division," being eliminated after her first race, but all three girls have their eyes on eventually beating the family mark set by Megan, who finished second in the masters division in 2007.

"I used to give them a few pointers, but they don't need it anymore," Megan said.

Both Brooke and Peyton earned their trips to the championships by winning their divisions at the Danbury Soap Box Derby race in June. Michelle qualified by compiling enough points in rallies along the East Coast that the family attends nearly every weekend from August to June.

Racing before thousands of spectators in Akron isn't much different than participating in local races and rallies with smaller audiences, said Michelle, who said she "focuses so much on driving" that she barely hears the crowds.

For John Strand, a longtime soap box derby volunteer and a former director of the Danbury race, participating in the event is a way to bond with his children, bringing back memories of building his car with his father.

"Every weekend, we're in the basement working on their cars," he said. "They learn to build things and work with tools."

Weekend trips to rallies is a time the family can be together, and the races give parents and children an opportunity to socialize with others who enjoy the same activities.

"The time we spend together, the families we meet, and the friendships we acquire along the way are what makes it so special," John Strand said. "This sport teaches kids so many valuable lessons towards life through sportsmanship, fair play, persistence and determination."

jpirro@newstimes.com ; 203-731-3342