Search
FirstEnergyAll-American Soap Box Derby Countdown

News

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.”

 Read More Thank You Thursday - Volunteers 11.24.2016 Today we have many things to be thankful for as our nation celebrates Thanksgiving Day. We would like to say thank you to a group of individuals who are the “Spirit of the Derby.”

More than 700 volunteers lend their time and talents to the staging of the All-American Soap Box Derby program and the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship race. In big ways, and small, the volunteers are the backbone of the program and we cannot thank them enough. In the words of Oscar Wilde, “the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”

 Read More Thank You Thursday - New Board Members 11.17.2016 On Thursday, November 10, 2016 the International Soap Box Derby’s Board of Directors held its annual meeting. At the meeting the Board reviewed the Derby’s previous year's achievements, elected new board members and said goodbye to members who had reached their term limit.

Four new members were elected at the meeting and will begin serving four-year terms to help the Derby continue its mission. New members include:
 Read More
View Archives