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FirstEnergyAll-American Soap Box Derby Countdown

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Creative Designs of Cars In United Way Corporate Derby Challenge presented by Fallsway Equipment Company will be unveiled at Derby Downs Party on Thursday, July 13 06.21.2017 Read More Thank You Thursday - Swensons 06.15.2017 In 1934 the first official All-American Soap Box Derby race was held. Also in 1934 Wesley T. “Pop” Swenson opened the first Swensons drive in fast food location in Akron, Ohio. The restaurant chain, with its iconic running car-hops, now has seven locations in the Akron area. Read More Thank You Thursday - Precision Garage Door 06.08.2017 Three years ago the International Soap Box Derby and Precision Garage Door formed a partnership to provide Precision promotional opportunities through the Derby’s various programs. Over the last two years Precision has installed six garage doors on the Derby’s production facility at the Topside location. Three more will be installed later this fall. Read More Alex Seither Will Receive Soap Box Derby's President's Youth Volunteer Service Award 06.05.2017 Alex Seither of Mason, Ohio, has been chosen as the recipient of the 2017 President’s Youth Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes volunteers under the age of 21 who have made a positive impact on the Soap Box Derby through their leadership on the local or national level. Read More Thank You Thursday - Charles E. & Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation 06.01.2017 The Charles E. & Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation was established in 1954 and gives primarily for social services, education, the arts, and children's and healthcare services.

The Foundation has partnered with the International Soap Box Derby since 2012 and generously supports the general operations of the organization.
 Read More Thank You Thursday - Keep Akron Beautiful 05.25.2017 Keep Akron Beautiful (KAB) is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1981 to implement a comprehensive litter prevention recycling promotion and beautification program for the City of Akron. One of the annual beautification sites is the world famous Derby Downs track. Read More Derby Spotlight - James Yeager 05.24.2017 James (Jim) Yeager began racing in 1972 and continued for a few years to the mid-70s. An Akron area native, Jim attended Coventry High School and Portage Lakes Vocational Center to study mechanical drafting. He discovered early on that he really enjoyed carpentry, building race cars and completing all types of similar hands-on projects. After attending a few Derby clinics, Jim became more interested in racing, this would not only jumpstart his racing career but help guide him to his chosen STEM-related career later in life. Read More International Soap Box Derby Names Mark Gerberich as President and CEO 05.24.2017 Mark W. Gerberich has been named president and chief executive officer of International Soap Box Derby, Inc., the organization that manages the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby, the Soap Box Derby STEM-based education program and special events at Akron’s Derby Downs.

He succeeds Joe Mazur, who resigned in March to become president of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Read More Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame Will Induct Two New Members During Race Week In July 05.23.2017 Two new members will be inducted into the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame during the post-race awards ceremony for the 80th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby on the evening of Saturday, July 22. Read More RECORD NUMBER OF SCHOOLS AND CLUBS COMPETED IN THE SOAP BOX DERBY’S GRAVITY RACING CHALLENGE STEM TEAM COMPETITION PRESENTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING 05.22.2017 More than 180 teams from three states competed in the Soap Box Derby’s Gravity Racing Challenge™ (GRC) STEM Team Competition presented by The University of Akron College of Engineering. On May 18th and 20th teams competed in the Stock, Super Stock, High School Engineering Design Challenge divisions plus The University of Akron College of Engineering Collegiate team. The race is presented by The University of Akron College of Engineering.

Teams of up to 10 students and educators built and fine-tuned their Soap Box Derby cars over the past several months. In addition, they worked on optional contests that included mini Soap Box Derby car race and design.

Five area high school teams competed in the Engineering Design Challenge division. Teams were provided kits that included the floorboard, axles, wheels, steering and braking systems. They were also given a list of materials they can use in the design and construction of the body. Some are building their car to be the fastest and others want their car to look the best, and be unique in a non-traditional Derby form.
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