The premier youth and family oriented racing program in the United States comes to Murray, Kentucky as the Soap Box Derby races into town on June 7th, 2008. More than 50 youth are expected to compete in their gravity-powered racers for a chance to represent Murray at the 71st All-American Soap Box Derby Championship presented by Levi Strauss at Derby Downs in Akron, OH on July 26, 2008. The top three placewinners in each age group and division earn college scholarships.
Established in 1933, the All-American Soap Box Derby (AASBD) is an American tradition riding a new wave of energy with the support of presenting sponsor Levi Strauss SignatureTM and NASCAR, which embraces the AASBD as an official youth initiative.
The Murray race is one of 450 races held across the U.S. and overseas this year where participants compete in one of three divisions: Stock, Super Stock and Masters. Drivers in both the Stock and Super Stock divisions range from 8-17 in age.
While Stock is mainly for beginners who build simplified cars from kits, Super Stock racers build larger model cars made from larger kits and shells. Masters competitors build a more sophisticated designed-style car from scratch or a kit and are between the ages of 10 and 17. In competition, a Derby car can reach speeds upwards of 30 miles per hour depending on the angle of the ramp or hill.
Boys and girls can enter the Murray Soap Box Derby race by building a car from a kit purchased from the All-American Soap Box Derby or rebuilding an existing car and passing a pre-race safety and construction inspection.
LET'S GO RACING!
The All-American Soap Box Derby is part of NASCAR’s Youth Program initiative, which was established to expose America’s future generation to the motorsports industry.
