AKRON, Ohio (July 8, 2025) – Three hundred Soap Box Derby champions and their families and teams from the United States, Canada and Japan arrive in Akron Sunday, July 13. This starts a week of activities culminating in the 87th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby Saturday, July 19.
A full list of Race Week activities and schedule can be found here: https://aasbd.soapboxderby.org/race-week-schedule-2/
Information about the World Championships can be found here: https://www.soapboxderby.org/world-championships/
“We are thrilled to welcome these young champions and their families, and in many cases – their school groups or teams – to Akron for a week of exciting activities leading up to the world championships at the iconic Derby Downs,” said Dennis VanFossen Jr., interim executive director of International Soap Box Derby. “They will be competing for a share of $36,000 in Bill Speeg Memorial Fund college scholarships.”
Kids and young adults, aged 7-20, qualify for the World Championships by winning local Soap Box Derby races in or near their hometowns or by accumulating points in a series of rally competitions held in various cities since last fall. The World Championship races on Saturday kick off with a parade and opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. First heat is at 8:30 a.m. Championship heats will run at approximately 2:30 p.m. Winners, as well as Hall of Fame and Youth Service Award recipients receive their awards at an Awards Ceremony at the Akron Civic Theatre in downtown Akron at 7 p.m.
Race day tickets are available in advance for $10 at:
https://commerce.soapboxderby.org/product/2025-championship-ticket/
Race Week Kicks Off this Monday with Parade
Each year, the ISBD and City of Akron celebrates these champions with a parade and opening ceremonies on the Monday of Race Week. This year’s parade on July 14 in downtown Akron, starts at noon at Canal Park Stadium on S. Main St. and travels north to Lock 3 Park for the ceremony. Each champion is introduced to visiting and local Soap Box Derby fans.
Races Every Day at Derby Downs, July 15-18
Additional races at Derby Downs run all week, including local and rally “Challenge” races on Tuesday and Wednesday; the invite-only “All-Star” Race on Thursday morning, for the top rally champs in the nation; and an always fun-to-watch Legacy race Thursday afternoon. On Friday at 9 a.m. is the National SuperKids Classic, a race where kids with special needs compete in two-person cars driven by veteran racers. These kids also travel from out of town and the winners compete for the National SuperKids World Championship trophy on Saturday with the other races. All weekday races are free to the public.
Additional Activities
- Fans can check out all the championship race cars at an open house on Thursday, July 17 from 4 to 6 p.m.
- There also will be a Vintage Derby Car Show on Friday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church Recreation Center, in Akron, featuring displays of cars entered by former racers highlighting the evolution in the design of cars over the nine decades of Soap Box Derby racing.
About the Soap Box Derby
The International Soap Box Derby® is a non-profit youth education and leadership development organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through fair and honest racing competitions, STEM curriculums, and other community-focused activities. The Derby’s Core Values and Drivers include Youth Education and Leadership Development; Family Engagement and Enrichment; Honesty, Integrity, and Perseverance; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Teamwork and Collaboration; Mentoring; Volunteerism; and Commitment to Community. The Derby’s two youth initiatives are the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby racing program and the STEM-based Education Program, which provides educational opportunities for K-12 youth worldwide through Soap Box Derby racing. The Derby dates back to 1934, when the first All-American race was held in Dayton, Ohio.
For more information, visit www.soapboxderby.org
CONTACT:
Bob Troyer, Public Relations Chair
International Soap Box Derby
bob@soapboxderby.org
(312) 543-6703