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All-American Soap Box Derby

75 years of fostering future car enthusiasts 
All-American Soap Box Derby from Hemmings Motor News

October, 2012 - Jim O'Clair

We would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge a milestone event as one of the biggest influences on a youngster's interest in engineering, design and cars in general. The All-American Soap Box Derby celebrated its 75th anniversary this summer; it began on Burkhart Hill, in Dayton Ohio, in 1933.
It has become a staple summer event for boys and girls of all ages at its permanent facility in Akron, Ohio, and at hundreds of regional sites throughout the country. I know 1933 doesn't add up to 75 years; however, the Derby, like so many other activities in America, took a few years off during WWII, from 1942 to 1945. Thanks to longtime sponsor the Akron Beacon Journal, which took wholehearted interest in the Derby, the annual event continues to flourish and stimulate future car designers, mechanics and collector-car enthusiasts as well. The Akron Beacon Journal has been the major and continuing sponsor throughout the Derby's history. Chevrolet was also a co-sponsor for many years, with local dealerships encouraged to sponsor a local boy and car to represent their business. The race has seen some tough financial times in the recent past, but has since acquired corporate sponsorship from First Energy as well as proceeds from a movie featuring the Derby called 25 Hill, directed, produced and starring actor Corbin Bernsen. The movie has brought in new interest and participation of new racers, with many of this year's cars built in school workshops, serving an additional purpose as a teaching tool. The national finals have been raced in Akron since 1935, with the official race venue, Derby Downs, completed in 1936. The track was originally longer, with cars reaching speeds of over 50 MPH in the late Seventies. Today's racers achieve speeds in the 30-MPH range on a shortened track. Regional races are held throughout the country, with over 400 winners advancing to the 2012 finals in Akron. Roughly 280 racers are representing their area, plus over 100 rally champs and 75 racers competing in the Super Kids Classic for children with special needs. Hundreds of regional events were held each year, with competition in three different local divisions: Masters, Super Stock and Stock Cars. Three national champions will take home $5,000 scholarships from Goodyear. There are an additional three winners in matching divisions for Rally cars. Although it was a boys' and dads' thing for many years, girls did sneak in occasionally. The second place winner in 1933 revealed herself after the race when she removed her helmet. The Derby has also become very popular with girls since they were first welcomed in 1971. They have proven they can build the cars and race just as fast as their male counterparts, winning 14 of the last 15 All-American titles in local categories. More information on the All-American Soap Box Derby can be found at its website www.ohio.com/news/soap-box-derby.


 2011 Chevrolet Camaro $2,010 2011 Chevrolet Camaro $2,112 1964 Chevrolet Corvair $1,387 2011 Ford Mustang $2,298 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost $1,192 2011 Chevrolet Camaro $2,207 2011 Ford Mustang $1,769 2011 Chevrolet Camaro $1,570 2011 Jaguar XF $1,433 1961 Mercedes-Benz 220 $21,000
