WHAT IS THE SBD?

The Soap Box Derby is a youth racing program which has run nationally since 1934. World Championship finals are held each August at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio.

The idea of the Soap Box Derby grew out of a photographic assignment of Dayton, Ohio, newsman Myron Scott . He covered a race of boy-built cars in his home community and was so impressed with this event that he acquired a copyright for the idea and began development of a similar program on a national scale.

The first All-American race was held in Dayton in 1934. The following year, the race was moved to Akron because of its central location and hilly terrain. In 1936, Akron civic leaders recognized the need for a permanent track site for the youth racing classic and, through the efforts of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Derby Downs became a reality.

Each year since, with the exception of during World War II, youngsters from throughout the United States and several foreign countries have come to Akron with the racers they have built and driven to victory in their home communities.

There will be three racing divisions in most locals and at the All-American competition. The Stock division is designed to give the first-time builder a learning experience. Boys and girls, 8 through 17 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, as youngsters are exposed to the Derby program for the first time.

The Masters division offers boys and girls, 10 through 17, 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 as options.

The goals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since it began in 1934. They are to teach youngsters some of the basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun.

WHO RUNS THE SBD?

The All-American Derby youth program is administered by International Soap Box Derby, Inc., An Akron-based non-profit corporation.

Local race programs are sponsored by a variety of civic clubs, service organizations and business firms. These groups establish their local Derby administrative and promotional organizations to conduct the program. Local race organizations are responsible for a license fee to the International Soap Box Derby to support activities of their champions while in Akron, liability insurance, and administrative expenses.

Technical conduct of the Derby program is the responsibility of the National Control Board, which sets the rules and provides interpretation and enforcement.

Acting as liaisons between the All-American and the local Derby groups are the Regional Directors, who have been appointed to assist in communications and coordination.

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

REGION I Wes Foster
AK, ID, OR, MT, UT, WA, WY,
Northern half of CA, Northern half of NV
5255 Frisco C.T.S., Salem OR 97306
H) 503-363-0882 e-mail: sbddadsaor@aol.com

REGION II Jim Clemente
Southern half of CA,
Southern half of NV, AZ, HI, NM
13015 Avenida Del General, San Diego, CA 92129
H) 858-484-6173 e-mail: JVClemente@aol.com

REGION III Gene LeBlanc
CT, Western MA, West Chester County NY, NY Metro
20 Maple St., Terryville, CT 06786
H) 860-582-2721 e-mail: gleblancrd3@adelphia.net

REGION IV Jerry Van Waart
IA, MN, ND, NE, SD
490 Coronado Cir. Carter Lake, IA 51510
H) 712-347-9702 e-mail: jvanwaart@hotmail.com

REGION V Jerry Reif
IL, IN, MI, WI
5260 Overhill Dr., Saginaw, MI 48603
H) 989-792-3139 Fax) 989-790-1463
e-mail: reif@concentric.net

REGION VI John Evans
AR, CO, KS, MO, OK, TX
208 NW Aspen St, LeesSummit MO 64064-1449
H) 816-350-3004 e-mail: johnsevans@sbcglobal.net

REGION VII Norm Perry
AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN
480 Fern Ave., Titusville, FL 32796
H) 321-267-0168 Fax) 407-267-0168
e-mail: NPerry143@aol.com

REGION VIII Pat Taylor
KY, OH, WV
7004 Valley Brook Dr., Charleston, WV 25312
H) 304-984-1626 e-mail: ptsoapbx@aol.com

REGION IX George Weissgerber
MD, NC, VA, Washington DC
1905 Merrifields DR., Silver Spring, MD 20906
H) 301-598-5001 e-mail: gweissgerber@msn.com

REGION X George Rodenbaugh, Chairman
DE, NJ, PA
2057 Highland Ct., North Wales, PA 19454
215-412-2556 Fax) 215-412-2364
e-mail: Grodenbaug@verizon.net

REGION XI Mark Scuderi
NY (excluding Westchester County & NY Metro area)
717 Thomas Ave, Rochester NY 14617
H) 585-266-8874 e-mail: mscuderi@rochester.rr.com

REGION XII Marty Sullivan
Eastern MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
363 Piscataqua, Dover, NH 03820
H) 603-749-4400 e-mail: darbywill@aol.com

INTERNATIONAL Paul Stewart
9 Clifford St., St. Catharines, Ontario Canada L2N 3K5
H) 905-935-0264 FAX) 905-562-4414
e-mail: Stewy50@sympatico.ca