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FirstEnergyAll-American Soap Box Derby Countdown

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Thank You Thursday - Greater Akron Chamber 01.05.2017 The Greater Akron Chamber has been a long-time supporter of the International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) and the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio. In early 2010 the relationship grew even stronger when the Derby was near financial collapse.

The Chamber, led by President Dan Colantone, formed a task force to offer assistance to the Derby. Chamber board member William Ginter led the work to ensure a successful 2010 World Championship race. The Chamber also provided the leadership to help support the Derby’s short- and long-term sustainability plan. The Derby’s Board of Directors was reorganized to include new members representing Akron’s business community. The Derby, city, chamber and the new board used all best efforts to identify potential sponsors for future race years and recruit companies to help underwrite the event in the future.
 Read More Thank You Thursday - Taylor Made Jewelry 12.29.2016 Since 2014 Taylor Made Jewelry in Akron, Ohio has been the official ring supplier of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby.

Each year six Soap Box Derby World Champions receive rings from Taylor Made Jewelry for winning the Greatest Amateur Racing Event In The World®. The gold rings feature the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby logo on the face along with the words “World Champ.” On one side in raised lettering is the year of the race and the other features the most famous flag in racing - the black and white checkered flag.
Read More Thank You Thursday - Will Looman 12.22.2016 The definition of the word loyal is giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.

Will Looman epitomizes loyalty.

He has been employed by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for 52 years. He’s also been a Derby volunteer for 36 years and currently serves as a member of the Racing Commission (formerly the National Control Board) and the Race Director for the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship race.
Read More Thank You Thursday - SUBWAY 12.15.2016 At the 2013 FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby the first ever single elimination, three phase wheel swap race was conducted just for Rally Champs. The champ with the best time after three phases advanced to the next round of competition where eventually champions were crowned in the Stock, Super Stock and Masters Divisions.

 Read More Derby Spotlight - John Menches 12.14.2016 John Menches was 13 when he participated in the 1963 Akron Local Soap Box Derby race. During this time there were no car kits like there are in today’s Soap Box Derby. It was up to the racers' creativity to build their cars, because only a few items were supplied to the racers. For John, going down the hill for the first time during his practice run was an unforgettable moment in his life. Being a part of the Soap Box Derby provided him with a career path he soon knew he wanted to take--engineering. Read More Soap Box Derby Launches STEM-Based Curriculum 12.12.2016 The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) is entering new territory with the launch of a curriculum as part of its STEM-based education program. The curriculum is directed at children in grades fifth through eighth. Read More Thank You Thursday - Curriculum Funders 12.08.2016 The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) entered new territory recently with the launch of a curriculum as part of its STEM-based education program. The curriculum is directed at children in grades fifth through eighth and features five modules that contain activities that engage learners with project based lessons, team building, inquiry based learning, creative problem solving and FUN!

 Read More New Masters Car Plans Released 12.07.2016 A new set of Masters Car Plans has been released. They are similar to the Stock and Super Stock Plans and provide a basic step-by-step process to build the car. Read More New Rules For The Finishing of the Shells for the Stock and Super Stock Divisions 12.02.2016 This past summer the Racing Commission voted to change the rule on vinyl stickers/wraps for the Stock and Super Stock Divisions. Full wraps are now allowed for both divisions. The rule change was sent to the Competition Committee and was approved and is now in effect immediately. Below please find the new shell finishing rules for each division: Read More Thank You Thursday - Dairy Queen 12.01.2016 “We want more racing!”

Those words were heard loud and clear by International Soap Box Derby President & CEO Joe Mazur when he took over the reins of the non-profit organization in March of 2011. “One of the common themes I heard from racers and race families was that they wanted more racing during the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship race,” said Mazur. “They liked the format of the All-American race but they just wanted more racing leading up to Saturday’s World Championship race.”

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