Amateur racers from around the country will gather in Emmaus to compete in the "Summer Classic" Aug. 25 and 26.

The public is invited to come watch the Emmaus soap box derby's storied tradition of downhill racing continue beginning 7 a.m. both days.

Drivers will race down Ridge Street, by the Emmaus Public Library, for a chance to etch their names alongside past derby champions.

From the Emmaus Summer Classic's first race in front of the high school in 1975 to its current location, racers and their families have built cars from the ground up teaching them the intricacies of physics, dedication and camaraderie.

Families turn into pit crews, volunteers come out of the woodwork and hand assembled kit cars emerge as much more than just axels, floorboards and fiberglass wheels.

According to Race Director Kent Finkbeiner, the double elimination one-on-one races will allow the 40 or more racers to spend two days of competition focusing on sportsmanship, teamwork and having fun.

Racers come from as far as Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington D.C. to compete in the Emmaus Soap Box Derby. They can compete in one of three divisions based on skill level, age and vehicle type.

The stock division is meant for entry level drivers typically seven to 14 years old. Stock cars take about 10 hours to build using the construction plans provided with the kit. The total weight of the car, including child and wheels, is 200 pounds.

The super stock division is designed for intermediate drivers usually from 10 to 18 years old. A super stock car is similar to a stock car but can accommodate a larger driver and allows for more customization with paint schemes. It normally takes at least 12 hours to build this type of vehicle. The total weight is 230 pounds.

The masters division is for advanced drivers and features the fastest cars. They are the most aerodynamic vehicles in competition and the driver lies in the cockpit while racing. Masters drivers are typically age 10 and above with previous racing experience. These cars can easily take 20 hours to build. The total weight is 255 pounds.

Races are timed electronically by a volunteer at the bottom of the hill and many races are determined by a few thousandths of a second. All cars in each division run at the same weight so victory is determined by driver skill and fine tuning by the pit crew.

Racers compete for pride, trophies and points in national or regional competition. The Keystone Rally Association sponsors the Emmaus race and others in Pennsylvania. The driver who earns the most points over the course of nine racing sites through the fall season is named the champion. There are champions in each of the three divisions of soap box racing.

Last year's Emmaus Keystone Rally was rained out by Hurricane Irene so weather permitting it should be an exciting weekend for spectators, families and racers alike.