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
Soap Box Derby Built on STEAM
Soap Box Derby has a new local race, built by STEAM The race is newly sanctioned, but the residents of Columbus, Ga. are no strangers to racing or the International Soap Box Derby's STEM education...
2025 STEM Gravity Racing Challenge and Summer Camp
Preparation for the International Soap Box Derby’s STEM Gravity Racing Challenge and Summer Camp in Akron, Ohio is underway! We are excited to share this information and invite you, your school or...
2024 Hall of Fame Inductee Tim Hiller Passes at 66
WAS THE NATION'S LONGEST-SERVING ACTIVE LOCAL RACE DIRECTOR Tim Hiller of New Philadelphia, Ohio, long-time volunteer race director of the Tuscarawas County Soap Box Derby, died on Thursday,...
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.
