The DASBD is now in its 2nd year of All-American Soap Box Derby competition in the DuBois, PA, Area. Our Committee is striving to reestablish the derby races as an annual event in DuBois, as it had been many years ago. Prior to last year, it had been over 55 years since the last soap box derby was run in DuBois. Many seniors from throughout the local area recall this annual 4th of July event taking place on Maple Avenue in DuBois from 1947 through 1953. More than a few of these folks now volunteer on our Committee.
Our Committee accomplished its goal for last year when our two local Division champions raced at Akron, Ohio, on July 25th. They set a record for the DuBois Area by each of them winning a heat. A total of 34 youngsters - 7 girls and 27 boys - and their families from throughout the DuBois area participated in our local race last year. Thirty-two (32) of those participants raced down our hill on West Long Ave. Our Committee was thrilled with reestablishing this traditional event in the DuBois Area; an All-American tradition which began 76 years ago in Akron, Ohio.
The DuBois Area 2nd Annual Race is planned for June 19, 2010. The International Championships this year are planned for July 24, 2010, at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. We are adding a third Race Car Division this year. It will be the Masters Division. Our two divisions this past year were the Stock Car and the Super Stock Divisions.
The goals of the Soap Box Derby are to educate and inspire youth through fair and honest competition and mentorship. With a primary goal to advance family values, the Soap Box Derby provides an environment in which parents or other adults work hands-on with boys and girls ages 8 through 17 to instill basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project from start to finish. This is what motivates every person on our Committee.
Locally, the Soap Box Derby provides happy and fond memories of a childhood rich in meaningful experiences. Many in our community remember the races down Maple Avenue. Some participated in those races over half a century ago. They know what their Derby experiences mean to them.
Our Title Sponsor for this year is Johnson Motors Chevrolet and Cadillac of DuBois. They are supporting our effort this year to expand the Soap Box Derby throughout the DuBois Area and establish it as an annual event.
Additional funds are obtained through participation fees, car sponsorship donations, race day sponsorships, patron donations, Race Day Program advertising, individual donations and a ‘fun for all’ fund raising dinner. Last year we met additional needs by borrowing from other organizations, i.e. the timing devices for the finish line and the scales for weighing the race cars. We want to finish equipping ourselves with our own funds this year. Additionally, we face the added expense of bringing the Masters Division to our line-up and acquiring additional curb safety piping for the W. Long Avenue race site.
We are an IRS certified 501(c) 3, tax exempt, public charity organization. You can find us on the IRS Website, Online Version of Publication 78 (search: Soap Box Derby, Dubois, PA). Our Pennsylvania sales tax exemption number is 75-552448.
Nearly all of our donated funds for the 2008-2009 racing year went toward the International Soap Box Derby licensing fees, advertising & promotion (which includes website expenses), race track preparation, mailing & postage, legal fees and miscellaneous other items. In addition. we aquired 33 corporate race car kits, including wheels, painting and individual signage. It was a ‘labor of love’ and a lot of work for the officers and the dedicated members of our management Committee.
Please follow and enjoy this local event for the DuBois area by frequently returning to this website. Then, in June, come to the local races and watch the competition. Participate in the fun and excitement of our local race and join us and the winners of our three race car divisions when they compete at the National Championships in Akron, Ohio. They will be competing with other young people from all over the world. We will be cheering them on to bring National Soap Box Derby honor to the DuBois Area.
Silas Platt
Local Race Director |
