| Home | About LPLC | Programs | Fundraisers |
News & Events | Get Involved! |
| Overview | Soap Box Derby |
Each year, the Lexington Park Lions Club organizes and sponsors the local Southern Maryland Soap Box Derby. On June 10, 2006 David Beaton, Stock Division Champion and Justin Rayle, Super Stock Division Champion, raced their derby cars down the Fenwick Street hill in Leonardtown, Md. To read a short article and see photos of these Derby winners, please view the "News & Events" page.
An Overview of the Soap Box Derby Program
The Soap Box Derby is a youth racing program which has run nationally since 1934. World Championship finals are held each August in Akron, Ohio, at Derby Downs.
The idea of the Soap Box Derby grew out of a photographic assignment of Dayton, Ohio, newsman Myron Scott. He covered a rade of boy-built cars in his home community and was so impressed with the event that he acquired a copyright for the idea and began development of a similar program on a national scale.
The first All-American race was held in Dayton in 1934. The race was moved to Akron the following year because of its central location and hilly terrain. In 1936 civic leaders recognized the need for a permanent track site for the youth racing classic and, through the efforts of the Works Progress Administration, Derby Downs became a reality.
Each year since, with the exception of the World War II years, youngsters from throughout the United States have come to Akron with the racers they have built and driven to victory in their home communities.
There are three racing divisions, through the Southern Maryland Derby currently has only the first two of these.
The Stock division is designed to give the first time builder a learning experience. Boys and girls, aged 9 through 16, compete in simplified cars built from kits purchased from teh All-American Derby organization. These kits assist the Derby novice by providing a step-by-step layout for construction of a basic lean forward style car.
The Super Stock division gives the competitor an opportunity to expand their knowledge and build a more advanced model, also from a kit purchased from the national organization.
These entry levels of racing are popular in race communities across the country, as kids are exposed to the Derby program for the first time.
The Masters division offers boys and girls, 11 through 16, an advanced class of racer to try their creativity and design skills, Masters entrants can build a laydown or lean forward style car from scratch or they can purchase a Masters kit and Senior Speedstar fiberglass body shell from the All-American organization.
The goals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since it began in 1934. They are to teach youngsters the basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition, and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun. The Derby is also a time for families to work together and holding the local Derby on Father's Day fosters this family atmosphere.
The Soap Box Derby season runs year-round in over 170 cities and communities across the United States and overseas, culminating with the All-American Soap Box Derby Championship in Akron. The All-American Soap Box Derby is an official youth initiative of NASCAR.
For more information, please visit the All-American Soap Box Derby Web site.