Commissions & Regional directors
Commissions, committees, and Regional Directors contact info are included below.
For the most up-to-date, official, ISBD race rules, the 2025 Rule Book is now available!
Also, view 2025 rosters for the ISBD Racing Commission, Rally Commission, and Competition Committee and learn what each volunteer group does for Soap Box Derby racing.
Please contact us at raceprograms@soapboxderby.org if you have any questions.
Race Seasons
The ISBD World Championships Racing Season begins August 1 each year and ends July 31 of the following year.
The ISBD Rally Racing Season begins the day after the U.S. Memorial Day and ends the following Memorial Day of each year.
Race Commissions
Racing Commission and A-TEAM
The Racing Commission provides guidance and management of racing rules regarding Local races as well as the building requirements for the Stock, Super Stock and Masters cars. The Racing Commission is responsible for the inspection of Champ cars and largely responsible for managing the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby race in Akron each July. Within the Racing Commission is the A-team Subcommittee.
View Members
| RACING COMMISSION | ||
| Allison Pankoff, Chair | Dave Hubbell, Vice Chair | Travis Hayes, Secretary |
| Paul Bates | Roy Garren | Del Waldron |
| Linda Burkhammer | Pat Murphy | Dave Rigdon |
| Robert Cooper | Larry Gallimore | Keith Scheurman |
| Dan Costello | Danny Hughes | Brian Wagster |
| John Costello | Will Looman | Marylin Waters |
| Bo Donovan | Nancy Mooney | Jeff Gagnon |
| Mike Castner | Al Gallo | Alvin Staples |
| Robert Cooper | Bob Denecke | Craig Flury |
| Ron Kelly | Jim Underwood | John Kelly |
| Mickey Bates | Rick Wolfe |
| A-TEAM | ||
| Brianna Waldron | Dean Huminsky | Jay Moore IV |
| Jo Anna Harris | Bruce Hunsicker Jr | Travis Plum |
| Kayley Long | Kelley Hunsicker | Jennifer Sakeagak |
| Patrick Nigon | Nancy Iula | Holly Schilling |
| Lynn Costello | Jim Jedd | George Stewart |
| Maryann Costello | Warren Jordan | Elizabeth Taylor |
| Audrey Rains | Sarah Kolesar | Dennis Werntz |
| Christine Donovan | Scott Kolesar | Annalee Werntz |
| James Geisler | David Knapp | David Knapp |
| Dustin Brand | ElizaBeth Kimball | Jamey Allen |
| Jim Campbell | Douglas McLarney | Richard Acker |
| Vickie Beck | Todd Hinton | Bill Behan |
| John Harmon | Ann Marine | Deanna Young |
| Katheryn Head |
Rally Commission
The Rally Commission is responsible for overseeing the Rally Program. This includes establishing and maintaining rally race rules as well as ensuring fun, healthy and safe rally programs meet the goals of the AASBD mission. The Rally Commission also handles rally rule questions and clarifications. All members are intimately involved in Race Week with the Challenge Races, Topside Show and various other Race Week responsibilities. The Commission also meets once a month via telephone. Each year the Rally Commission accepts applications for new members. Applicants should be knowledgeable and passionate about Rally racing. Contact soapbox@soapboxderby.org with questions for the Rally Commission.
View Members
| Jamey Allen, Chair | Alan Howe, Honorary |
| Gene Blackwell, Vice Chair | Stan Kokotajlo |
| Rachelle Tomasek, Secretary | Buzz Pankoff |
| Wendy Barr | Paul Rochon |
| Lisa Carpenter | Chris Schlafke, Honorary |
| Sally Fell | Anne Taylor |
| Al Garren | Jenna Wolfe |
Competition Commission
The Competition Committee is an advisory group composed of the committee chairs for the Rally, Racing and Regional Director Committees as well as a Soap Box Derby Board Member and a member appointed by the Soap Box Derby President & CEO. The Competition Committee is responsible for coordinating program initiatives, final review of proposed rule changes and providing input into AASBD strategic planning. Items for the consideration of the Competition Committee are brought forward by each of the committee chairs.
View Members
Alan Howe – Chair
Jamey Allen – Rally Commission
ElizaBeth Kimball – Regional Directors
Allison Pankoff – Racing Commission
Bill Forquer – Board of Directors
Dennis VanFossen Jr – President & CEO
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
ENSURING GREATNESS ACROSS 13 DIFFERENT REGIONS
Region 2
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
Chris Harris
408-884-0038
chris@corpwest.com
Asst. Director:
Jo Anna Harris
joanna@goharris.com
Region 3
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Jerry Van Waart
402-960-5782
jvanwaart@hotmail.com
Asst. Director:
Dave Barrett
ddbarrett@charter.net
Region 4
Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Missouri, South Dakota, Wyoming
Travis Plum
913-687-7460
plumtravis6@gmail.com
Asst. Director:
John Evans
johnsevans@sbcglobal.net
Patrick Nigon
Patrick@allproservicenter.com
Region 5
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Elizabeth Kimball, Chair
309-582-4949
elakimball@gmail.com
Asst. Director:
Stan Inglehart
stanleyi@sbcglobal.net
Region 6
Ohio, West Virginia
Jamey Allen
740-808-0328
jameysoapboxderby@gmail.com
Asst. Director:
Stan Kokotajlo
skokotajlo@hotmail.com
Region 7
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina
Roger Soucey
352-812-4616
rogersoucey@yahoo.com
Asst. Director:
Eric Griffin
ericgriffin@cfl.rr.com
Region 8
District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia
Jim Hagan
301-252-7035
haganracing@comcast.net
Mark Marine
610-574-5101
markcmarine@verizon.net
Asst. Directors:
Leo Costello
leocostello35@msn.com
Matt Findley
mattf.eagleiii@gmail.com
Region 10
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont
Marc Behan
603-781-2632
behan55@comcast.net
Asst. Director:
Dick Behan
rabehan54@hotmail.com
Region 12
Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee
Tommy Waters
828-443-4786
marylin.waters@gmail.com
Asst. Directors:
Jordan Pruden
j.pruden95@gmail.com
International
Chris Harris
408-884-0038
chris@corpwest.com
WHEEL BEARING PROCEDURES
Please click below to view recommended procedure.
Updated: Feb. 2025
Rulebook Updates & Clarifications
Lubrication Rule A 13.01 Clarifications
Current (old) version:
A-13. Wheel Procedures
A-13.01 Lubricants are not allowed in the pits during a race without Race Director approval. Wheels must not be cleaned once the race has begun without the Director’s approval.
2025 (new, approved) version:
A-13. Wheel Procedures
A-13.01 Lubricants are not allowed. Wheels must not be cleaned once the race has begun without the Director’s approval.
Conduct Rule Clarifications (in red)
A-6. Conduct (A Participant is defined as anyone involved in the execution of the race event to include, but not be limited to: Racer, Racer’s helpers, Race observers, Race volunteers, Race Officials, etc.)
A-6.01 A participant, or member of the participant’s party, must not use, possess or distribute alcohol, tobacco or drugs, with the exception of those currently prescribed by a physician specifically for that person.
A-6.02 A participant or member of the participant’s party must not verbally or physically abuse and/or demonstrate unsportsmanlike conduct towards another participant, official and/or spectator.
A-6.03 A participant or member of the participant’s party must not in any way endanger another participant, official and/or spectator.
A-6.04 A participant or member of the participant’s party must not in any way obstruct or interfere with another participant’s car.
A-6.05 A participant, or member of the participant’s party, must not in any way attempt to gain an unfair advantage over another participant.
A-6.06 A participant must not conceal or use any type of electronic and/or communication devices in his or her car while racing.
A-6.07 A participant, or member of the participant’s party, must not violate any AASBD rule, regulation, plan, or agreement.
Have a Rule Change Request or Question?
Please fill out the form below if you are looking to request a rule change or have a question about a rule. This information will be shared with the appropriate committees. We may reach out to you for more information.