Soap Box Derby: The Greatest Amateur Youth Racing Event in the WORLD

written by Lauren - Soap Box Racerchick

Every year, youth from throughout the United States and several foreign countries race their Soap Box Derby cars in Akron, Ohio, competing for college scholarships and trophies. Guess what? One of these racers could be you. More than 50% of those competing are girls.

What is the Soap Box Derby? It's a program that has run nationally since 1934. The idea of the sport grew out of a photographic assignment of Dayton, Ohio newsman Myron Scott. He covered a race of homebuilt cars in his home community and was so impressed with this event that he acquired a copy right for the idea and began to develop it on a national scale.

There are three different divisions of racing in the Soap Derby. The first, Stock, is designed to give the first-time builder a learning experience. Boys and girls, 9 through 16 compete in simplified cars built from kits purchased from the All-American. These kits assist the Derby novice by providing a step-by-step layout for construction of a basic lean forward style car. The Super Stock Car division gives the competitor an opportunity to expand their knowledge and build a more advanced model. Both of these beginner levels make use of kits and shells available from the All-American. These entry levels of racing are popular in race communities across the country. The Masters division offers boys and girls, 11-16, an advanced class of racer to try their creativity and design skills in. Masters entrants can build a laydown or lean forward style car from scratch or they may purchase a Masters Kit and fiberglass body shell from the All-American.

Soap Box Derby has a lot in common with other types of racing. To go to the main event of the Soap Box Derby, a racer must win their local race in their division. Local races are held throughout the nation, with at least one and in many cases more than one in each state. Winning the local race in your division is considered a major accomplishment and is the highlight of many racers' careers. Another way to get to the world championship is to rack up points on the rally circuit by participating in races nationwide. Points are earned by finishing in top positions with the goal being to earn more points than those competing in your region.

What happens in Akron? The racers are treated like celebrities during race week, leading up to Saturday's world championship. Upon the racers' arrival, each of the young champions is whisked into Akron with a police escort. As the boy or girl arrives at the site of the welcoming ceremonies, the Derby band strikes up a tune and an announcer introduces the youngster to the crowd. After signing in on the official entry board, the champions leave for Derbytown, a camp which is their home for the duration of Derby week. Here, the youngsters make great and lasting friendships while relaxing, swimming, riding horses, participating in a variety of sports activities and enjoying the natural surroundings.

As the week progresses, the young champions are reunited with their racers which have been shipped from home. The cars are weighed and thoroughly inspected to make certain they meet all the safety regulations. The champs get their first look at Derby Downs, a 954 foot racing track designed specifically for Soap Box Derby competition. Each of the contestants gets a trial run down the course to become familiar with the track.

Parents and families of the Derby champs, as well as local Derby officials and fans who visit the All-American, also have a busy week. There are special entertainment programs for families and friends, while Derby officials attend meetings concerning rules and workshops on how to improve their racing programs. Celebrities from the sports and entertainment world come to Akron to visit the champs at camp and take part in the Derby parade and other festivities. The week's festivities lead up to Race Day when the anxious youngsters prime their racers for a chance at the winner's circle.

Race Day activities kick off with a spectacular track parade, followed by the traditional Oil Can Trophy Race which celebrities compete in oversized Derby Cars. As in most local competitions, there will be three divisions at the All-American. By the afternoon's end, three new winners emerge to wear the traditional gold jackets signifying they are the champions of the Stock, Super Stock and Masters divisions of the All-American Soap Box Derby. All awards are presented on Saturday evening as the champions, their families and friends, Derby officials and business and civic leaders gather to pay tribute to all the contestants in the All-American Soap Box Derby and to present the awards to the winners.

In Derby circles, all contestants in the All-American are considered champions, because it is believed they all have greatly enriched their lives through the experience they have had in Akron during Derby Week and the lessons they have learned while building their cars and racing them in local Derby programs back home.

All past and current derby racers agree that derby racing is one of the most enjoyable and competitive things they have ever done. If Soap Box Derby sounds like something you would have fun doing, contact us. We will help you get started and find a racing club in your area. We are currently working hard in the Detroit area and nationwide to build participation in this great American tradition. Spread the word on derby to your racing friends. We hope to see you at the track!

On the web at: www.aasbd.org, www.detroitderby.org