Napa’s Krider Racing has enjoyed a rich history of victories in a variety of motorsports. The racing family has won everything from amateur Wednesday night drag races at Infineon Raceway, to dirt circle track events at the Santa Maria Speedway, to the 24 Hours of LeMons at Altamont Motorsports Park.

So what is next for Krider Racing?

Rob Krider is moving from the driver’s seat to the crew chief’s seat. He will be the head crew chief for his son, Gus, and his daughter, Addy.

It is the next generation of Krider Racing that will be driving, even though Rob’s kids aren’t old enough to have driver’s licenses yet.

Instead of high-powered race cars, the kids will be powered solely by Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity — they will be racing soap box derby cars in Vallejo on Sunday.

The All-American Soap Box Derby is a race where two kids driving identically prepared cars roll down a steep hill. The cars have steering and brakes but no motors. The first one to the bottom of the hill is the winner.

Rob Krider talked about the transition from driver to crew chief.

“When I’m in a race car, I’m the one in control and I don’t get nervous at all. When I’m watching my kids speed down the hill, I have absolutely no control over what happens and I’m a nervous wreck. The only thing I can control is how well the car is built.”

Building the cars takes hours of labor.

Krider mentioned his experiences in car construction, and as usual, he was over the top in plugging — or in this case, not plugging — his sponsors.

“Unfortunately for me, our local sponsors, who have made us winners in the past, can’t really help us out much in the soap box derby venue,” he said. “There is no engine for T.E.M. Machine Shop to build or for Performance In-Frame Tuning to dyno. There is no exhaust for Napa Valley Muffler to build and no tires for B & G Tires to mount and balance. Obviously, there’s no transmission for Napa Valley Transmission to work on or brakes for Third Street Auto Repair to fix. I’m on my own. It’s just me and my kids in the garage putting the cars together.”

Part of the rules in soap box derby is that the kids have to help build the cars.

Krider said that it’s the best part of the experience.

“It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn how to use tools and see how much work goes into a race car,” he said. “Plus, now they can use their new skills to help dad fix his race car.”

Gus and Addy Krider will be competing in the Stock Division. Both of their cars are sponsored by C.J. Fix Co. Bookkeeping & Tax Preparation, Bay Ex delivery service, RacingWFO.com and I/O Port Racing Supplies.

The Vallejo championship soap box derby race is a qualifier for the National Championships, to be held later this year in Akron, Ohio.

The winner of the Vallejo race will go on to represent Northern California at the National Championships.

Krider Racing wants to be that team.

“If we could get to Akron and compete at that level, it would be a dream come true to see my kids carry on the Krider Racing championship tradition,” said Rob Krider.

The race will be held this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Vallejo.

The track itself will be on the hill of Santa Clara Street between Carolina and Georgia Streets.

Admission is free.