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Field is Set for the 2019 Columbus Soap Box Derby Championships on May 11th

News Release

Columbus Soap Box Derby Contact: Bill Forquer, columbus@soapboxderby.org

Field is Set for the 2019 Columbus Soap Box Derby Championships on May 11^th

Celebrating the 75^th Columbus Derby Championship

Festivities and Racing Begins at 10am

May 3, 2019 – Columbus, Ohio -

The Columbus Soap Box Derby Championships are scheduled for May 11^th on Derby Hill in Big Run Park.  36 entries will compete in three divisions to represent the Columbus area in the All-American Championships on July 20^th in Akron.

“This is our 75^th year of hosting a Columbus derby championship,” said Dan Kirk, Director of Derby and 1981 champion. “Norman Spencer won the first Columbus Soap Box Derby race in 1934.  We missed a few years way back but have raced continuously since 1962 and in Big Run Park since 1967. We hope all past derby participants return to the track for our 75^th commemorative celebration.”

An honorary race featuring 1949 derby participant Fred Lancia versus 2018 derby champion Izzy Frazier will commemorate 75 years of racing.  All past derby participants will be recognized, and drivers will wear commemorative t-shirts that list names of every Columbus champion dating back to 1934.  Pictures of most of those champions are at  http://www.soapboxderby.org/columbus/about-us/local-history.

“Masheter Ford is pleased to be the title sponsor for the Columbus Soap Box Derby,” said Bob Masheter, President, Dick Masheter Ford, Inc.  “Derby epitomizes great values that Masheter Ford holds dearly – STEM-based learning, family, and tradition. Good luck to all this year’s participants.”

This year’s field features six past All-American champions, eleven rookies, and competitors from Columbus, Pickerington, Whitehall, Marysville, Dublin, Powell, Hilliard, Delaware, Mt. Vernon, Johnstown, Westerville, Canal Winchester, Worthington, Upper Arlington and Cincinnati.

Donald Glover is the happy winner of the 2019 Derby Racer Giveaway sponsored by Roehrenbeck Electric.  Donald, age 8, is the son of Donna Glover of Sunshine Place on the east side and will compete as a rookie with his new racer.

Race and derby car sponsors this year include Roehrenbeck Electric, Loeb Electric, Consolidated Electric, Overmeyer Hall, Marysville Elks Lodge #1130, Pickerington City Schools, Whitehall City Schools, Priority Designs, Wasserstrom, Beany’s Auto Service Center, Rooter Works Plumbing, Union County Mental Health and Recovery, Fairborn Equipment Midwest, and Barack Rec Center.

Festivities begin at 10am and competitive racing begins immediately thereafter.  Admission is free and the general public is invited to cheer on the competitors.  All events occur on Derby Hill in Big Run Park, 4201 Clime Road. 

About Columbus Soap Box Derby, Inc.
Columbus Soap Box Derby, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that operates the Columbus Soap Box Derby.  Find us on the web at www.soapboxderby.org/columbus.  Follow us on Facebook at “Columbus Soap Box Derby” and on Instagram as @columbussoapbox_derby.  Contact us at columbus@soapboxderby.org .