CONNEAUT — A day of racing that started out with a crash for Andrea Picard, of Conneaut, turned out just fine as the 12-year-old won the Super Stock division of the Northeast Ohio Soap Box Derby.

Another car strayed into Andrea’s lane during one of the heat races Saturday morning and caused Andrea to crash.

“It spun her around and put her into his lane,” said Renae Picard, her mother.

Andrea walked away “a little shook up” but physically unscathed. Her car, however, sustained damage to the rear axle, wheels and body. In the spirit of the Soap Box Derby, other racers contributed replacement parts that Andrea’s father, Frank, needed to get his daughter back in the race.

It was all downhill, from there, a good thing in this competition, which is run on the Broad Street underpass.

Director Tracy Welton said they had a strong response to the call for participants for the 26th annual Northeast Ohio Soap Box Derby. There were 32 cars in the event, an increase of three from 2009. Additionally, there were nine new racers, which bodes well for the future.

One of those rookie racers was Elizabeth Ezzone, whose father, Mike, competed three times on this hill in the 1980s.

“She saw my car in my parents’ garage and got interested in it,” Mike said. “My mother showed her a VHS tape of my race.”

That was enough to convince Elizabeth, 8, to compete. Her father purchased the kit and they built the car together. They dedicated it to the memory of Elizabeth’s grandfather, Tom Ezzone.

Mike said seeing his daughter race brought back memories of his experiences, and he drew upon that experience in giving her pointers on how to race.

“Just try to keep your head down and keep it straight,” he said, summing up that advice.

Elizabeth placed sixth in her division.

The competition drew veterans, as well. Kristen Sharp, 16, of Sheffield Township, won the Super Stock division last year and went on to Akron. She’s had three cars and this year was back with a new one, painted like an Ohio Highway Patrol car in honor of her sponsor. Her previous car was sponsored by the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department.

She placed third in the Master’s division.

Win or lose, Maggie Sharp, Kristen’s mother, said the sport is a great activity for both children and their parents.

“I think it is awesome for the kids,” she said. “It gives them a chance to compete with one another. But it’s all about having fun, it’s not about winning. It’s a family-oriented activity with the child, father and mother building the car together.”

Mark Estock has five sons and, in the past 15 years, has wracked up a lot of hours on Soap Box Derby cars and races. His youngest son, Andrew, 12, ran in the Master’s division Saturday and placed fourth.

“It’s good fun for the entire family and I’d highly recommend it to any family interested in spending more time with the kids,” he said.

Estock’s family business, Creative Millwork of Ohio, sponsored Andrew. Several business also purchase car kits and make them available to racers who don’t have a sponsor or can’t afford to self-sponsor. Welton said the registration fee is $35 and a kit will cost about $500.

Saturday’s race was significant for Welton, who had a son, Tyler, 13, in it, as well as a grandson, Shane, also 13, competing. Shane took second and Tyler came in sixth, behind Amber Stillman, in the Master’s.

Welton said the Derby comes together every year through the dedication of the volunteer board and Conneaut service clubs that support the effort with volunteers. Many area businesses also donate equipment to keep the event running smoothly.

The Derby is not a race about distance or speed, but time differential between the competitors. Welton said police radar check of racers one year showed that they are moving at about 25 to 28 miles per hour as they reach the end of the 550-foot course.