Daniel Axelrod Times Herald-Record @dan_axelrod

LIBERTY If you cant beat em, join em. Thats what the father-son soap box derby racing team of Joe and Morgan Van Keuren thought about Brianna Roth and her twin sister, Brooke. Morgan, 16, couldn't quite beat the 15-year-old sisters in the Town of Libertys annual Memorial Day soap box derby races.

Together, theyre champions. On July 22, Brianna used Morgans old car to win the super stock car title at the 80th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship in Ohio.

It taught me a lot about racing, sportsmanship, teamwork, always shaking your competitors hands, always trying your best. Even the one year I finished close to last (in Liberty race), I still had a good attitude, said Brianna, who hopes to become a physical therapist.

Morgan, who lives in Liberty, was Briannas crew chief. The families worked together in the twins White Sulphur Springs basement, to shave time off the derby racer tightening bolts, aligning the car, adjusting its wheels and cables.

We were shocked when Brianna won, said Joe Van Keuren, who added how proud he was of Morgan and Brianna for their teamwork and sportsmanship. It was just surreal seeing Morgan jump into the arms ofBrianna's stepfather after the race.

Following regional wins, 80 racers qualified for the super stock car division world championship. When Brianna beat them, the All-American Soap Box Derby Association retired her car and presented a Super Bowl-like ring, a giant trophy and a $3,000 college scholarship.

So, was Brianna scared hurtling down a hill in a tiny racing car at 30 mph?

No, I was thinking of a new cell phone, said Brianna, whose stepfather, Mike, likely didnt think hed be buying her the new iPhone, with an unlimited data plan, he promised if she won.

Brianna, Morgan, and Brooke, who attend Liberty High School, werent the only ones united by racing.

Soapbox derby racing has helped unify Liberty, while becoming a cottage industry, since CarolVanDenberg,of Hillside Greenhouses & Flower Shop, started a local race in 2011.

Briannas mother, Melissa, a math teacher at Liberty Middle School, ended up dating and marrying the schools tech teacher, Mike Diehl, after he recruited her daughters to race.

Local parents and children have formed racing teams, including the Barn Buddies Racing Group. They've pooled resources and expertise on cars that can cost $1,000 each for assembly kits, paint jobs and custom-made metal weights.

The local school bus firm, painters, iron works, printers, t-shirt makers, a collision shop and other companies have pitched in to keep the kids cars safe, fast and spiffy.

And the Town of Liberty has facilitated the local derby and promoted Briannas win.

Its unbelievable Brianna won, VanDenberg said. Absolutely nobody knows where Liberty, N.Y. is Now, we have a world champion. Who wouldve thunk it?

daxelrod@th-record.com

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Teamwork produces soap box derby world title for Liberty teen - Times Herald-Record