It runs in the family: Hudson family celebrates third generation of Soap Box Derby racers

Soap Box Derby racing is not just a passion for the Nelmans, a family of four from Hudson, including 14-year-old Colt and 10-year-old Raegan. It's in their blood.

Before Colt came onto the track at 11 years old and Raegan at 7, their father Keith Nelman paved the way with their uncle in the 1980s. Before them, their grandfather Pat Nelman raced, and their grandmother Sue Nelman worked for the derby. Keith's cousin, Jesse Nelman, has even competed and won a local championship.

"It's a very good family activity," Keith said. "I have had fun reliving what I did with my dad with them. I enjoy the time I get to spend with them."

Colt, who will race in the rally masters this week in the All-American Soap Box Derby at Derby Downs in Akron, has won first and second place in the stock division of the United States Derby Racing Invitational in Tennessee, among other awards. Raegan, competing in rally stock this week, has earned many derby accolades, including a third-place finish in Tuscarawas.

Sue is a derby Hall of Famer who still volunteers for the organization with Pat, who is in his 70s. Keith said he did not win much, but it's been great to watch his kids come home with trophy after trophy.

Racing 101

Pat Nelman starting derby racing as a kid in the 1960s.

When Sue began working at the track, with Pat also volunteering, the couple would take Keith and his brother to Derby Downs every August.

"I couldn't wait to race when I was of age," Keith said. "It's funny, I don't remember a lot of the races, I just I remember a lot of the friends I made, and a lot of their kids are racing now."

In those days, cars were made out of all wood and modeled after provided templates. Today, kits are given out to make the cars, which are made of a mix of wood and plastic or, for one division, fiberglass. Car designs get sleeker as the divisions become more advanced.

"I remember sitting in a dark garage when working on my car and working on it even until past midnight sometimes to get it ready for a race," second-generation racer Keith said. "The cars have changed [from back then]."

Building cars, even now, takes months, and plenty of science is involved when building and updating them to make them more aerodynamic while compensating for the rider's weight.

A Soap Box Derby race begins at the top of an inclined track, with racers bent down into the motorless cars. Race heats last around 28-29 seconds.

"They have to learn how to make the car faster, so that's good for the kids," said Tina Nelman, Raegan and Colt's mom. "It's a great sport; it's a good activity."

Colt and Raegan have the expertise of their father and grandfather when assembling and changing up their vehicles. Cars can be wrapped or painted for decoration, and Colt is usually partial to an American flag theme. Raegan has one shell with a night sky setting on it.

The dads take on the brunt of the building, Tina said.

"It's good for the kids to just have a better, stronger relationship with their dad through this," she said.

Learning lessons and finding newfound family

The soap box car racing world spans across the globe, and the derby world is tight-knit, Tina said. She did not grow up in the derby, but over the years, she has met countless friends and has gained knowledge of racing.

"A lot of the friends that they made are all from different states, so it's pretty cool," Tina said. "Colt was talking about how he's super excited to see these friends of his that he raced with. They're done racing, but they still come back to see their friends.

"There's a lot of relationships that have come out of the derby, too. Our friends that are from Pennsylvania, they have been married for 20 some years now, and he and his wife raced each other."

The Nelmans have met families from various states and countries. Before their kids became busier with school activities, they traveled to competitions in the country often.

"If you have a loss in your family, or you go through a hardship or whatever that may be like, the first people that reach out to us, besides our great friends here, is the derby people," Tina said. "They would do anything for you."

Competing in the All-American is easier for the Nelmans since they live close to Derby Downs, but for other families, the trip can be costly. Throughout the year during race times, the Nelmans opened up their home to out-of-town derby families.

"There's a family in Georgia that stays with us a couple of times a year," Tina said. "We always tell them they can stay with us any time. The gas, the cost of food, everything can get expensive."

Racing in general can get costly, but Tina said she does not want that to deter people from competing. Families will donate cars after they are done using them to help other families start their racing journey.

The Nelmans used derby trailers from a family friend and from their old church, which they later passed down to another family.

The All-American Soap Box Derby brings in hundreds of qualifying racers ages 7 to 20 from around the world. This year's World Championships will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Festivities and races run throughout the week.

"[How I feel about a race] depends on if it's a big race or a small one; like for the local, I'll get nervous but excited, rather than just nervous, like for this week," Raegan said.

Before race week began, Colt and Raegan said they were excited to compete and meet up with new and old friends. Colt said he has gotten used to the pressure around competition.

"I don't really get nervous anymore," he said. "It's gotten easier [after each race]."

Keith said the derby teaches his children lessons they will use for the rest of their lives.

"It's a humbling sport," Keith said. "In this world of 'everyone gets a trophy,' with this, you have to work hard to get a trophy. It teaches the kids how to lose graciously and also how to win at the same time."

Reporter Isabella Schreck can be contacted at ischreck@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: It runs in the family: Hudson family celebrates third generation of Soap Box Derby racers