Nine year old Erin Donovan of Eagleville raced representing the Conshohocken Soap Box Derby at the World Championship in Akron and brought home the World Championship. Both her parents, who are natives of Conshy, were former racers, along with other members of the family.
Erin is the first racer representing Conshy to win the World Championship. Last year Natalie Burkert, who also raced representing Conshohocken, placed second and this year came in fifth.
Tomorrow (Monday, August 5th) at 7:00 p.m there will be a parade for Erin and the other racers down Fayette Street. The parade will start at the Washington Fire Company and end at E.F. Moore. So bring the kids up to Fayette Street tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. to cheer for Conshy’s World Champion.
Here are some interesting facts about Erin Donovan and her family’s history with the Soap Box Derby:
- Her car is sponsored by Schank Printing, Inc., the family business
- It is Erins 2nd time to Akron
- Erin is a 4th generation Soap Box Derby racer
- Her Great Grandfather, Uncles, father mother and cousins raced for Conshohocken
- Erin is the 27th car that Donovan Racing Team has sent to Akron
- Her father, Bo Donovan, represented Conshohocken in Ohio in 1988 (Her mother Christine finished 3rd in Conshohocken that year)
- Erin not only won the Stock Rally Division in Ohio this year, but also had the fastest time on the hill in that division
- Erin is going into 4th grade at Eagleville Elementary
- Besides Soap box Derby, Erin enjoys Singing and playing the electric guitar
- Last year Erin was 4th place in her first year in the Keystone Racing Circuit (the racing circuit for the Northeastern United States)
- Erin not only races in Conshohockens race, but all over the place with her brother, Liam
- Erin has been around racing all her life. She watched and learned how to drive derby cars from her brother, Liam
- Erin has raced as far North as Danbury, CT and as far South as Roanoke, VA
- Erin enjoys racing because she gets to meet new people, see new areas of the country and spending time with her family
- Erin won a trophy taller than her, a $2000 scholarship to College, a championship jacket and the coveted World Champion Gold Ring
