Mission
To build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration
Mission
The International Soap Box Derby® is a non-profit youth education and leadership development organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration, fair and honest racing competitions, STEM curriculum, and other community-focused activities.
Operating as usual
Did you know that the Soap Box Derby is international? We host races across the world in locations like Japan, Canada, and Germany. As an international non-profit, our mission is to help kids build knowledge and character, and create meaningful experiences and memories! To learn more, visit https://www.soapboxderby.org/about-us.aspx!
This 2023, give the Soap Box Derby a whirl! 10-year-old Leann Salley from St. Clairsville, Ohio, shared that she learned new skills and is now able to build her own derby car! After participating in the Soap Box Derby for three years, she advises new racers to “have fun, be a good sport, and make friends!” Want to learn more about the Soap Box Derby? Visit our website at https://www.soapboxderby.org/!
There's still time left in 2022 to support the legendary Soap Box Derby! Take gravity racing to infinity and beyond with a year end gift today! Click on the link to make a secure, tax-deductible online donation before midnight tonight! https://tinyurl.com/9xm3ewvj
2023 is almost here! We are excited about the new year and the return of all our racers! Wishing you and your family a safe and healthy new year from all of us at the ISBD.
Are you in need of funding for your Gravity Racing Challenge team? One of the most common ways is to solicit local businesses for financial support. A number of school districts also have Academic Foundations that lend their support to projects like the GRC. There are a number of small grants that are available for STEM-related activities. Learn more by visiting https://www.soapboxderby.org/education-program/teacherscoaches/how-do-we-find-a-sponsor.aspx today.
Your support helps youth continue the Soap Box tradition while building something special with their hands and enjoying the fun and excitement of racing. Experiencing fair and honest competition, memorable bonding, and learning STEM skills can be useful in their studies and even future careers. Interested in donating? Visit https://bit.ly/3hTet2f to learn how you can give!
Merry Christmas from all of us here at Soap Box Derby! Wishing you and your family a day full of love, light, and laughter!
Please keep us moving forward on the road to “Soap Box Derby infinity” with a gift that is generous to YOU. If you’ve raced or visited an event at Derby Downs, or your kids have raced or attend a STEM program, then you’ve experienced the “thrill on the hill” and know the awesome learning power of gravity-fueld racing.
Use this link to make a secure year-end tax deductible gift before January 1, 2023. https://tinyurl.com/9xm3ewvj
Celebrities were a tradition at the All-American Soap Box Derby. Actors such as Jimmy Stewart and Tom Hanks, Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Regan and even NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt have visited Akron. How cool! Visit https://www.soapboxderby.org/aasbd-race-program/history/celebrities.aspx to view the celebrities who have visited Derby Downs.
As the end of the year comes to close, we are celebrating all our hard work this year, and look forward to the new year ahead. 2022 was an amazing race year and we can't wait for 2023. Our office will be closing at 3 pm on December 23, 2022. The ISBD Staff will return on January 3, 2023.
Happy Holidays,
The ISBD Staff
Have you visited Derby Downs? A center of activity and interest from the spring through the fall for special events, corporate outings, Derby rallies, and local races, Derby Downs has been the home of the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship for 82 of the event's 84 years. We are proud to call Derby Downs home and can’t wait to see you here! Visit us at https://www.soapboxderby.org/derby-downs/derby-downs.aspx to learn more.
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Thank you all for your suggestions. Hall of Fame nominations are accepted each spring. To be considered for the Hall of Fame, check out https://www.soapboxderby.org/aasbd-race-program/history/hall-of-fame.aspx for guidelines. If you notice a photo missing, please send it to [email protected]. We only included the photos of Hall of Fame members we had.
Have you heard about the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame? Candidates may be considered for induction into the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame on the basis of significant contributions to the program by dedicating years of service to the organization, or as an ambassador, promoting the betterment of the sport and its participating young persons, or by supporting the youth racing program through financial or sponsorship contribution, enabling the continued growth of the youth racing program. Visit https://bit.ly/3O7Clun to learn about our Hall of Fame members!
Are you ready to begin your Soap Box Derby adventure? The first thing you'll want to do is determine if you are eligible to compete in the Soap Box Derby. Anyone between the ages of 7 and 20 years of age is eligible to compete. Visit https://bit.ly/3gerCCF to read about the next steps!
This winter, make sure you store your Soap Box Derby car safely! Visit https://bit.ly/3UMuzcy to learn more about how to store yours!
Interested in holding a field trip at Derby Downs? Students can visit the Soap Box Derby Museum & view Champions’ cars dating from 1934-present and tour the Derby’s manufacturing & distribution facility. They will also navigate Derby Downs in search of historic sites and markers before test-driving a Soap Box Derby car down the Derby Track! If you are interested in hosting a field trip with us, please contact Linda Hubbell at [email protected] or 330.733.8723 Ext. 12!
Are you thinking about a year-end donation? Consider using your Required Minimum Distribution to support the Soap Box Derby and our mission that impacts the lives of children across the world! If you are 72 years or older, the deadline for taking your 2022 Required Minimum Distribution from your qualified accounts is December 31, 2022.
The SBD Staff held their first annual Gingerbread Decorating Competition and we need your help to decide the winner! Vote now by liking your favorite staff gingerbread house!
Girls competed in the Soap Box Derby for the first time in 1971 and in 1975, eleven-year-old Karren Stead of Lower Bucks County, Pa., became the first girl to win the Soap Box Derby tournament. Today, The Girls Racing to STEM Workshop features girls in grades 5-8 who partake in Soap Box Derby STEM-based activities at the historic Derby Downs Track! We are excited to support our girls this year as they explore and discover more about STEM and the Soap Box Derby!
Youth who learn skills and build projects develop confidence that builds character. Your support of the Soap Box Derby gives boys and girls a chance to learn essential STEM-based skills in building and racing cars – and keeping the Soap Box Derby tradition alive and strong since 1934! To donate, visit https://bit.ly/3hTet2f.
Soap Box Derby’s Mini-Car Program provides kids in grades 3-6 with an activity workbook that enables them to learn about derby cars and racing. Then they get to put their knowledge to use to build and race their very own Mini-Car! With six fun activities, our workbook and kit provide about 12 hours of learning! To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3arMnYE.
The first All-American Soap Box Derby ran in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. Eleven-year-old Bob Turner from Muncie, Indiana won - his name will be remembered forever!
*Updated with services*
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news with you that Jack Engelke, who had a long history of volunteer efforts for local, regional and national Soap Box Derby activities, died on Monday, November 28, at his home in Naperville, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. He was 80.
Jack grew up in Wisconsin, where his first involvement with the Soap Box Derby was as a competitor in the 1955 Milwaukee race.
He was instrumental in the 1980s in establishing the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby program, which he served for many years in a variety of volunteer posts.
Jack served the All-American Box Derby organization as a regional director and helped develop the Stock Car in 1992. He also helped organize the rally program and served as its commissioner for 11 years beginning in 1995.
He joined the All-American Soap Box Derby’s board of directors in 1995. He was elected the organization’s treasurer in 2007, and later served as secretary. He became an honorary director in 2016.
Jack was inducted into the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame in 2012.
He was a principal of Hindin/Owen/Engelke, a corporate finance and institutional placement firm.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 3 from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. at the Overman-Jones Funeral Home, 15219 Joliet Road, Plainfield, Illinois 60544, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m.
The Derby’s STEM-Based Education Program uses the tools and values of Soap Box Derby® racing to introduce Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to students in an enjoyable, engaging way. The Education Program is designed to provide K-12 educators and students with the project- and standards-based, inter-curricular learning opportunities.
Happy Thanksgiving from Soap Box Derby! We are thankful for our partners, donors, and racers who have kept Soap Box Derby alive for more than 85 years! Who are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
The International Soap Box Derby® is a non-profit youth education and leadership development organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration, fair and honest racing competitions, STEM curriculum, and other community-focused activities.
The Soap Box Derby office will be closed for Thanksgiving starting at 3:00 pm, on November 23 and will reopen on Monday, November 28. If you need anything from the staff this week prior to being closed for Thanksgiving you can call 330-733-8723 or email [email protected].
If you’ve just completed building your Soap Box Derby car, adding extra weight can be the difference between winning and losing your next race. Visit our website to learn new tips on adding weight to your car! https://www.soapboxderby.org/education-program/teacherscoaches/adding-weights-to-your-car.aspx
Your contribution to the Soap Box Derby helps youth in their race to the future. While they build their gravity race cars, you will be helping them develop engineering, science, and teamwork skills – and have fair, honest competition while they do it! Learn more about donating by visiting https://www.soapboxderby.org/about-us/donation-page.aspx.
Youth who learn skills through hands-on projects develop confidence that builds character! Your support of the Soap Box Derby gives kids a chance to learn essential STEM-based skills building and racing cars – keeping the great American Soap Box Derby tradition alive and strong since 1934! If you’d like to donate, please visit us at https://www.soapboxderby.org/support/donate-to-the-soap-box-derby.aspx.
Happy Veterans Day from Soap Box Derby! We are thankful for our national heroes and the sacrifices they’ve made to keep us safe. We salute you, Vets!
Soap Box Derby car building is a fun, yet educational activity for the whole family! Ronan explains, “Our racers have learned the basics of all sorts of tools. They have learned how to lay fiberglass and carbon fiber on our Legacy car. They have learned how to do body prep and paint on all our cars. They now help younger racers to build and align cars. They also have learned about aerodynamics and the physics of gravity racing.” What an awesome experience!
It's National STEM Day! The Derby's STEM-based programs use the tools and values of Soap Box Derby racing to introduce Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to youth around the world in an enjoyable, engaging way!
Did you know the Soap Box Derby was inspired by neighborhood boys racing homemade cars in the streets of Dayton, Ohio, in 1933? In 1934, the All-American Soap Box Derby was established, and kids from over 30 US cities came to participate! Today, thousands of kids from all over the US and internationally compete in sanctioned Soap Box Derby races each year!
You can start a Soap Box Derby program in your own community! For information on becoming a licensed partner and starting a sanctioned Soap Box Derby program in your area please visit our website at https://www.soapboxderby.org/aasbd-race-program/start-a-program-in-your-area.aspx today.
The rally season is racing by! Don't miss your chance to earn points this month at these race weekends. Check out the full rally season schedule for more information 👉 https://bit.ly/3DNAs3q
Being a part of the All-American Soap Box community can provide a unique opportunity to change the lives of children in your city through a fun, hands-on STEM education! To learn more, visit our website at https://www.soapboxderby.org/aasbd-race-program/start-a-program-in-your-area.aspx!
Happy Halloween Derby Nation! Have you been trick or treating at a rally race? We want to see your costumes in the comments!
Need some racing advice? Karlye, 16, says, “The only way to get better is to try different things and work hard. Don’t give up no matter what happens.”
Fun meets STEM education with our Gravity Racing Challenge. The Soap Box Derby’s Gravity Racing Challenge® STEM Team Competition is designed to give teams of students in grades 3-12 the opportunity to assemble and race Soap Box Derby cars! Learn more here ➡️ https://www.soapboxderby.org/education-program/grc-stem-team-competition-races.aspx
Want to build your own soapbox car? We have plans and guides to help get you started on your first car as part of the Gravity Racing Challenge® STEM Team Competition. Check out this link! ➡️ https://www.soapboxderby.org/education-program/building-a-car.aspx
1000 George Washington Boulevard
Akron, OH
44312
| Monday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 6pm |
| Friday | 8am - 6pm |
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Northeast Ohio Radio Controlled Racing Club
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