About Us
Our Mission: The International Soap Box Derby® is a non-profit youth education and leadership development organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration, fair and honest racing competitions, STEM curriculum, and other community-focused activities.
What Drives Us
The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) serves as the official sanctioning body of Soap Box Derby racing, boasting exclusive licensing partnerships with over 100 race cities worldwide. These cities organize sanctioned Soap Box Derby races, where champions qualify for the annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby® World Championship race. We proudly continue the Soap Box Derby tradition, hosting this eagerly awaited Championship race and other events year-round at our headquarters, the world-famous Derby Downs Track, located in Akron, Ohio.
Our Soap Box Derby STEM-Based Education Program exemplifies our dedication to youth education and leadership development. It encompasses a STEM curriculum, the Gravity Racing Challenge® STEM Team Competition, the Mini-Car Program, and STEM Summer Camps. These initiatives reflect our commitment to our core values and mission.
Youth Education and Leadership Development
Teamwork
and Collaboration
The History of the Soap Box Derby
Did you know that the idea of the Soap Box Derby® grew out of a photographic assignment? A Dayton, Ohio newsman named Myron Scott was inspired by local kids and created a proposal for a local youth gravity race that was picked up by Chevrolet. Chevrolet then sponsored the first official All-American Soap Box Derby® in 1934! Learn more about the roots of this organization, the generations of Champions we’ve inspired, and view the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame.
Our People
Thank You To Our Partners
The Soap Box Derby’s Foundation Partners play an essential role in helping us grow the impact of our programs that introduce youth to gravity racing and build essential STEM skills.
News & Updates
From Local Heroes to World Champs
AKRON TO HOST MORE THAN 300 RACERS FOR THE 86TH ANNUAL FIRSTENERGY SOAP BOX DERBY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS JULY 20 AKRON, Ohio (June 25, 2024) – More than 300 Soap Box Derby racers from the United...
HALL OF FAME SELECTS 2024 CLASS
AKRON, Ohio (July 2, 2024) – The International Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame will induct three long-time volunteers into this year's class. They will be...
Putting the “World” in the Soap Box Derby World Championships
AKRON, Ohio (May 31, 2024) - Many people not as familiar with the Soap Box Derby racing world, tend to think of the annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby, which takes place on July 20 in...
Annual Reports
Trademark & Logo Usage Guidelines
The International Soap Box Derby® is the owner of the following trademarks, each of which is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office:
- Soap Box Derby 1084300 (U.S.)
- Soap Box 4446805 (U.S.)
- All-American Soap Box Derby 1079538 (U.S.) U.S. TM Registration No. 1,061,212
- American Soap Box Derby
- Thrill of the Hill 2039500 (U.S.)
- The Greatest Amateur Racing Event In The World 3733789 (U.S.)
- AASBD 3186664 (U.S.)
- Gravity Racing Challenge 4,590,442 (U.S.)
The International Soap Box Derby owns the following logos:
These trademarks and logos are property of the International Soap Box Derby and cannot be used unless written consent is provided by the ISBD.
