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AAA Akron Auto Club will Sponsor Soap Box Derby Local Challenge Race

03.20.2018

The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD), an Akron-based non-profit organization, announced today that it has signed a three-year agreement with AAA Akron Auto Club to become presenting sponsor of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby AAA Aaa LogoLocal Challenge Race for the next three years. This year’s Local Challenge Race will be held on Wednesday, July 18, during world championship week at Derby Downs.

AAA volunteers also will assist at the Gravity Racing Challenge STEM Team Competition presented by the University of Akron College of Engineering to be held on Saturday, May 19. The AAA volunteers with be responsible for the Wheel Swap Area and this area will be highlighted as the “AAA Wheel Swap Area.”

The Wheel Swap Area is where the racers receive a set of four wheels provided by the ISBD for their first heat. The champions then exchange their wheels with another competitor for the next round of heats.

The Challenge races are additional opportunities for the champions to race in the week leading up to the world championships. Top finishers will receive their awards during the 81st FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby awards ceremony at the Akron Civic Theatre on Saturday evening, July 21, 2018.

“We appreciate the long-standing partnership with AAA Akron, and appreciate their commitment to continue their support by signing a three-year agreement with the Derby. This partnership will ensure the continuation of the Local Challenge Races,” said Derby President and CEO Mark Gerberich.

“As a federation of independent motor clubs, with members and locations throughout North America, AAA has a deep understanding of the importance of community; of the local leadership, volunteerism, and youth and family participation and engagement required to allow organizations like the Soap Box Derby to survive and thrive,” said AAA Akron Auto Club President and CEO Brian Thomas.

“AAA Akron has been a long-time supporter of both the Akron Area Soap Box Derby and the iconic First Energy All-American, and we are proud to be a part of an event focused on the hard work and dedication of local Soap Box Derby racing communities and families all across America,” Thomas said.