About Us

The NYC Soap Box Derby started in 2015 with the assistance of a non-profit working with Flushing Meadows Soap Box in Queens and PS 57 Soap Box on Staten Island. We held our local during the Flushing Meadows Soap Box Queens Race and sent 3 NYC champions to the International Races in Akron Ohio at Derby Downs. We even made a soap box documentary along the way. In 2016 our local was in Central Park Manhattan. During 2017 our race moved to Petrides School Complex in Staten Island NYC on Father's Day! We partnered with our NYC DOE Staten Island Borough Field Support Center. Together we had 2 "Partnership" races with an added STEAM component. Now during 2022 Staten Island and NYC will continue their races. NYC has now added both a Brooklyn race (since 2019) and Bronx race (since 2020) too! We plan to work together to try and raise funds to send a stock, superstock and a superkids champion from 3 local races to Akron Ohio for the International Races again this July!

Check out our NYC superkids program for youth with special needs. Staten Island ELKS and the Vietnam Vets built 2 cars in 2017 and 2018! Now Brooklyn vietnam vets are building ones for their borough race 2022! Bronx is next!

http://www.ny1.com/nyc/staten-island/staten-islander-of-the-week/2016/06/17/soap-box-derby-car-a-team-effort.html

Our NYC Race Program in Bklyn is working with schools, afterschool non-profits, Parks Centers and individual youth racers from across the city to make this years local races possible!

The Staten Island and Bronx Race consists of their local schools. The See you in Akron!

INTERNATIONAL SOAP BOX DERBY

Mission Statement

The Soap Box Derby® is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition.

Core Vaules and Drivers

• Youth Education and Leadership Development
• Family Engagement and Enrichment
• Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Mentoring
• Volunteerism
• Commitment to Community

The Derby is the official sanctioning body of Soap Box Derby racing and has exclusive licensing partnerships with more than 100 racing districts throughout world. These racing districts conduct sanctioned Soap Box Derby races throughout the year and qualify champs for the annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby® World Championship race at the world famous Derby Downs Track in Akron, Ohio.

The Derby's Education Program is a fast-growing component of the organization and includes a STEM-Based Curriculum, the Gravity Racing Challenge® STEM Team Competition and a Mini Soap Box Derby program.

The Derby also operates the world famous Derby Downs Track in Akron, Ohio where events are held throughout the racing season.

The Board of Directors oversees the operation of the Derby, and the day-to-day activities are handled by the Headquarters staff in Akron.