LIBERTY – Head down, break up, go fast. 

These three tenants of soap box car racing were pertinent as the racers took their mark atop the hill of Upper Main Street in Liberty on June 3.

The annual races, put on by the Sullivan County Soap Box Derby invited 39 kids of various ages to put their wheels to the pavement and descend the hill using gravity to beat the competitors.

Parents, family and friends of the racers gathered on the sidewalks with tents and lawn chairs to cheer on the box cars as they sped down the hill.

In total, there were 19 drivers in the stock division, 15 in the superstock division, and five in the masters division.

In the Stock Division, the standings landed with first place going to Steven Padin, second place to Jayden Green, and third place to Lilith Lynker. The Super Stock Division heralded Hudson Danzilo in first, Cody Winters in second, and Phillip Kolarik in third. The Master Division saw Mason Smith win first place, Emma Gaebel take second, and Shane Graham take third.

The event included sponsorships from Rolling V Bus Corp, ShopRite of Liberty, and Harris Funeral Home.

Some racers met each other with hugs and shook hands at the bottom of the hill, solidifying a community of soap box racing that has been alive in the county since its beginning in the area around 12 years ago.

First place winners will take their cars and their skills to Akron, Ohio, for July 16 through the 22, for the World Championships.