Facts on Soap Box Derby Racing

For kids and teenagers there can be nothing quite as exciting as building a soap box car and entering it in competitions against other handmade vehicles in a derby.

Features

A soap box car is a small, motorless vehicle that is built to hold one driver and is propelled by gravity along a race track or designated area. They must have four wheels, some type of brakes, and usually weigh around 150 pounds.
Warning: During a race, soap box cars can reach speeds of up to 30 mph. It is important that all racers wear protective gear such as a helmet in case of accidents. It is also important that the breaks they install on their vehicles are proven to be in good working order at all times.

History

The first American soap box derby race was held in Dayton, Ohio, in August 1934. Derby Downs, the present home of the All American Soap Box Derby, was opened in Akron, Ohio, in 1936.

Function

Soap box derby racing was created to showcase cars built by children and allows them to prove their skills in driving and designing the vehicles.

Types

Depending on the age of the racer, there are several types of races that kids and teens can compete in including Stock (for kids 9 to 16), Super-Stock (for kids 9 to 16), and Masters (for kids 11 to 16).

Misconceptions

Though most soap box derby competitions involve children, there are some with adult drivers. These are usually held as charity events and not taken as serious competitions.

Fun Fact

Soap box derby racing is popular all over the world, and in different countries the cars are called different things, including: billy carts in Australia, buggys and trolleys in the U.K., and bogies in Scotland.

Famous Ties

NBC sportscaster Graham MacNamee was struck by a soap box car after it went off-track in a 1935 race, but did not sustain any life-threatening injuries.

Resources

• All-American Soap Box Derby