2026 Race Week SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, July 11 – SatURDAY, July 18
*** Times subject to change
Saturday July 11
Early Champ Check-in (12PM – 4PM) @ Topside of Derby Downs
Akron RubberDucks Game (7PM First Pitch) @ 7 17 Credit Union Park
Sunday July 12
Soap Box Derby 5k (7AM – 8:30AM) @ Derby Downs
989 Dash (8:45AM) @ Starting Line
Champ Check-in (9:30AM – 5PM) @ Topside of Derby Downs
Monday July 13
Welcome Party (3PM – 7PM) @ Jellystone Park Akron-Canton
Champions Group Photo (4PM) @ Jellystone Park Akron-Canton
Easiest way to arrive at Jellystone
Tuesday July 14
Rally Challenge (8AM – 3PM) @ Derby Downs
Wednesday July 15
Local Challenge (8AM – 3PM) @ Derby Downs
“Rock the J” Badge Trading & Champ Night Out (5 – 7:45PM) @ JCC Shaw
Thursday July 16
All-Star Race (8AM – 12PM) @ Derby Downs
Legacy Division Championship (12PM – 3PM) @ Derby Downs
Topside Show (4PM – 8PM) @ Topside of Derby Downs
Kickball Tournament for Champs (5PM – 8PM) @ Field West of Grandstands
Friday July 17
National SuperKids Classic (8AM – 2PM) @ Derby Downs
Race Alignment, Wheel Selection & Weigh-in (8AM – 3PM) @ Topside of Derby Downs
Vintage Car Show (9AM – 5PM) @ St. Matthew’s Church
Saturday July 18
Champ Check-in (7AM) @ Topside of Derby Downs
Parade of Champions (8:10AM) @ Derby Downs
88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby (8AM – 4PM) @ Derby Downs
Awards Ceremony (7PM – 9PM) @ Akron Civic Theater
Car Pick-up from End of Race until 10PM @ Topside of Derby Downs
Sunday July 19
Car Pick-up (8AM – 12PM) @ Topside of Derby Downs
To maintain a fair and safe competition, we have made the following accommodations and changes to the Race Day Schedule for the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby.
All Local Champs are to arrive at 6:00AM (Rally Champs to arrive at 6:30AM) at the Gate behind the Blue Barn for check-in. Parking is permitted on George Washington Blvd. Champs only will enter the barn and sit in the aisle in front of their car. Car Handlers (1 per car) will wait at the gate with their tools until called.
Allowed Tools: Tools for brake and steering repair, Triangulation & Spindle Alignment Equipment, Cleaning & Waxing Supplies, Adjustable Weights, Sawhorses, and any tools that fit within a milk crate, any permitted electrical tools must be battery operated. ISBD will not provide Sawhorses.
Non-permitted items: lubricants, non-battery-operated power tools, any car dollies, alignment tables.
6:30AM Local Stocks with crates will be directed to the tent. A different division will be called periodically after that.
Once entering the tent, all Champs & Car Handlers will stand in the aisle by the car until directed to begin work on their car. You have a 20-minute time period to complete the following items: Any brake or steering work (must be done first) then alignment (if time allows). Shells are not allowed be removed.
Cars with a sticky note on the nose will be required to change brake pads.
When directed, Champs will select/install wheels, proceed to scales, then to track.
Due to the adjusted schedule and permitting champs fair alignment time, there will be no pre-race parade. Champs will be recognized at the Awards Ceremony from 7-9PM.
