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Field is Set for the 2021 Columbus Soap Box Derby Championships on May 8th

News Release

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

Field is Set for the 2021 Columbus Soap Box Derby Championships on May 8th

Celebrating the 76^th Columbus Derby Championship

Racing Begins at 9:30am

May 5, 2021 – Columbus, Ohio -

Columbus Soap Box Derby, Inc. announced today details of its championship race scheduled for May 8^th on Derby Hill in Big Run Park. 33 entries will compete in three divisions to represent the Columbus area in the All-American Championships on July 23^rd in Akron.

“This is our 76^th year of hosting a Columbus derby championship,” said Dan Kirk, Director of the Columbus Derby and 1988 champion. “We were all disappointed to miss derby racing in 2020 due to COVID. But we’re back now with a strong field in all divisions with many new sponsors and families.”

This year’s theme is “Thrill of the Hill” and captures the excitement drivers feel in this gravity-based STEM sport.  Showcasing generational support for derby, STEM, and Kiwanis, the honorary race will feature Richard Brulotte, 24-year member and current Secretary of the Evening Kiwanis of Delaware versus Margaret Lee, past member of the Hilliard Darby Key Club and current president of the Circle-K Club at University of Cincinnati. Key Club and Circle-K are Kiwanis sponsored leadership programs.  The Evening Kiwanis of Delaware is sponsoring three drivers this year. Two of those are from the Unity Community Center, an after-school STEM program for Delaware youth.

“Masheter Ford is proud to be the title sponsor for the Columbus Soap Box Derby once again,” said Bob Masheter, President, Dick Masheter Ford, Inc.  “STEM skills are critical for our youth and derby racing is a great and fun way to learn those skills. Good luck to all this year’s participants.”

This year’s field features three past All-Americans, 18 rookies, and competitors from Columbus, Delaware, Dublin, Grandview, Grove City, Hilliard, Lewis Center, Mt. Vernon, Pataskala, Pickerington, Powell, Spencerville, Upper Arlington, Westerville, and Worthington.

Race and derby car sponsors this year include Roehrenbeck Electric, Loeb Electric, Pickerington City Schools, Warehouse 61, Hartzler Family Dairy, GI Service Center, Rolland Tousley, Evening Kiwanis of Delaware, Unity Community Center of Delaware, and RevLocal.

The honorary race begins at 9:30am and competitive racing begins immediately thereafter.  Champions will be announced on Facebook and Instagram. Admission is free and the public is invited to cheer on the competitors noting that we will be practicing all customary COVID protocols.  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 . History and pictures of most of the Columbus past champions are at  http://www.soapboxderby.org/columbus/about-us/local-history.