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FirstEnergyAll-American Soap Box Derby Countdown

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Thank You Thursday - Danny Hughes 02.23.2017 Did you know the first Nike shoes were made inside a waffle iron? Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike, and his wife were making waffles for breakfast: It sparked an idea for a grooved pattern on the sole of trainers to help athletes grip running tracks. It spawned the “Nike Waffle Trainer,” patented in 1974.

Did you know the first Soap Box Derby mini car shell was made in the oven of a Derby volunteer in Columbus, Ohio?
 Read More Joe Mazur Stepping Down As President And CEO Of The International Soap Box Derby 02.23.2017 Joe Mazur is stepping down as President/CEO of International Soap Box Derby, Inc. to take on the same role at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Mazur will remain with the Derby organization until Friday, March 10. Following Mazur’s departure current Derby Vice President Bobby Dinkins will oversee day-to-day operations as the Derby Board conducts its search for a permanent successor. The CEO search process is currently under way. Read More Thank You Thursday - AAA Akron Auto Club 02.16.2017 AAA Akron Auto Club is the longest tenured sponsor of the International Soap Box Derby, Inc.

The Club supports the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship race and the Derby’s STEM-Based Education Program.
 Read More Derby Spotlight - Rachael Samm 02.14.2017 Soap Box Derby racing was always a part of Rachael Samm’s life growing up. Not only was she passionate about racing, but she had a talent for it as well. Rachael, her parents, and her two sisters found a common interest in the sport, forming a bond through the family time spent together – one of Rachael’s fondest memories about racing. Being involved in the Soap Box Derby has in many ways, shaped Rachael into the person she is today. Not only did it build valuable personal relationships, but helped educate and lead her to a career in engineering Read More Thank You Thursday - Dave Hubbell 02.09.2017 "Jack of all trades, master of none" is a figure of speech used in reference to a person that is competent with many skills, but no particular one.

In Dave Hubbell’s case you could say, “Jack of all trades, master of all.”
 Read More Thank You Thursday - Pilot Flying J 02.02.2017 Beginning in 2013 the greatest gravity racers in the world have been starting their trek down the world famous Derby Downs track in Akron, Ohio, from the Pilot Flying J starting gate. Racers from around the world reach speeds of 30 mph while piloting their Soap Box Derby cars down the 989-foot track in hopes of becoming World Champion at the annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby. Read More Thank You Thursday - Former Summit County Executive Russ Pry and the County of Summit, Ohio 01.26.2017 In June of 2010 the International Soap Box Derby’s Board of Directors asked the County of Summit to examine its finances as a way to boost the Derby’s credibility while it attempted to raise needed cash to survive. Seven months earlier it was announced that the Derby was near financial collapse when it did not have the resources to pay down a $600,000 loan. Read More Thank You Thursday - GPD Group 01.19.2017 In February of 2013 the GPD Group became a partner of the International Soap Box Derby, supporting the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship race and the Derby’s STEM-Based Education Program.
Read More Derby Spotlight - Steve Cox 01.16.2017 It wasn’t a far stretch to assume that Steve Cox would excel at Soap Box Derby racing. His father built steel mills and his grandfather owned a wood shop. When Steve was younger he had a strong mechanical aptitude. In 1960 Steve wanted to participate in the Middletown, Ohio Local Soap Box Derby race. With his grandfather’s guidance, Steve did most of the design and construction of his well-balanced Soap Box Derby car himself. Before constructing his car, Steve built a working model to ensure the car would function properly and meet his goals. Read More Thank You Thursday - Bob Troyer 01.12.2017 Bob Troyer’s Soap Box Derby career began on Route 59 in Portage County, Ohio when he raced in the Ravenna-Kent Soap Box Derby in 1957 and 1958. His father, Loris Troyer, who was executive editor of the Record-Courier newspaper, was also the director of the Ravenna-Kent Soap Box Derby from 1947 through 1972. Despite him winning only one heat (1958 race) his love of the Derby was cemented.
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