Members of the Northeast Ohio-based classic car club, Kool Time Kruisers— Rick Vogel of Columbiana and Mike Helman of Lisbon— work on refurbishing a wooden soap box derby car for the Quakertown Super Kids Classic race for children with a physical or developmental disability on March 16. The race will be held June 4. (Photo courtesy Bill Hoover)

LISBON — The Northeast Ohio classic car club, Kool Time Kruisers, is at work for the second year in a row restoring a soap box derby car for the Quakertown Super Kids Classic on June 4.

“We feel that it’s really a worthwhile project,” Kool Time Cruisers member Bill Hoover, of Lisbon, said.

Over the course of a few work days, members of the car club will pull the wheels off, clean them and repaint them; clean the axles and lubricate them; take off all the old stickers on the car and sand the wooden body down; and finally, paint it. Hoover said they are also looking at getting stickers made with the Kool Time Kruisers logo to add to the car.

“Most of these cars are 30 years old, or more,” Hoover said.

The Quakertown Super Kids Classic is a race started in 1981 for challenged children who have a physical or developmental disability that prevents them from participating in the All American Soap Box Derby in Akron. Children between the ages of 7 and 18 are eligible.

Kids can register via email at janwel2002@yahoo.com or by calling 330-853-5114. Information and forms are available on the website at www.quakertownskc.com.

Practice day will be held on May 7 and race day is June 4.

There is no charge — it’s free — with sponsors covering all costs.

The inspiration for the race came in 1980, when the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #34 was assisting with the local Akron Soap Box Derby as part of a community project, according to the Quakertown Super Kids Classic website.

A veteran, Dave Mitan, was helping the racers when he felt a tug on his shirt and a special needs child asked him, “why can’t I do that?”

“Dave’s heart was so moved and his spirit so touched that he began discussing the experience with member veterans,” the website reads.

On race day, the derby cars will speed down South Broadway in Salem, competing in a chance to move on to the Greater Ohio SuperKids Classic in Akron.

The winners and two wildcards will go to Akron to compete, with all expenses paid, including a stay in a nice hotel with a swimming pool, Hoover said.

Hoover was originally involved with the Akron race about 30 years ago when he was a member of one of the three other automobile clubs he has belonged to and had the idea last year to help out again.

The Kool Time Kruisers have been around for about 22 years and Hoover has been a member for 10, he said. The club has about 35 members from East Liverpool, Struthers, Boardman, Austintown, Columbiana, and Lisbon, among other places.

The club will hold its annual car show at South Range High School in Beaver Township on July 20.

“We’ve done shows for years and we donate what we can to charity,” Hoover said.

The Kruisers will also display their classic cars at the Quakertown Super Kids Classic on June 4.

“We went last year and they reserved a whole row of parking for our old cars. The kids loved it,” Hoover said.

The derby cars have two seats, two steering wheels, and seatbelts, Hoover said.

According to a brochure about the Quakertown race, ghost drivers are other children who have experience racing, are strong enough to brake the car, can fit into the car, and have the maturity to understand special needs children.

“But the handicapped kids have the feel of driving,” Hoover said. “Gives them the feeling of being a race car driver.”

“The car community has a lot of great people,” Hoover said. “Overall it’s a good group of people that really love helping others.”