BERKS CO., Pa. – It may not have an engine… but everything you see here is designed to make this car go as fast as possible. And on Sunday, once it leaves the starting line, gravity does the rest…. The Reading Gravity Racing League is holding their inaugural “run whatcha brung” downhill gravity racing challenge… “which is any invention that you come up with with wheels,” explained John King JR, racing director for the Reading Gravity Racing League.
But that’s not the only race this weekend… They’ll also be having their soapbox racing challenge, an exhibition, and a skills competition. “I am very excited,” said King. King has been building and racing his homemade inventions since he was just 12 years old, “our buddies would push us and the steering was with our feet and this is the brake.”
Even after all these years… “I still get scrap wood, try to build these things, and I made my own,” said King. And if racings not your thing, then check out their finale: Reading High vs. Muhlenberg High Sisyphus Uphill challenge. “That involves pushing the car…. the heaviest one we have. Pushing it uphill for 100 yards in a relay race,” said King.
And with a small donation, you too, can take a ride in one of these cars, “it’s a $20 donation that gives them the privilege to run down that historical Skyline Drive, you know, all day,” said King.
The competition starts at 3 p-m on Sunday. “You should be here and enjoy the weather that we’re going to have… Enjoy the entertainment, and if you, like, join in,” said King.