News
The latest news and updates from the International Soap Box Derby.
Impacting Youth through STEM
By Linda Hubbell, Director of Education The International Soap Box Derby is impacting youth through STEM learning and gravity racing. We combine the two and bring our unique education programs into young people's lives whether in the classroom, during out-of-school...
FirstEnergy Extends Title Sponsorship for Soap Box Derby
AKRON, Ohio, July 19, 2024 -- FirstEnergy Corp. extends its title sponsorship with The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) for three years, running through 2027. The sponsorship continues a strong relationship between the two Akron-based institutions that began in...
Soap Box Derby Senior Day is September 26
Calling All Sox Box Derby Lovers and Adventure Seekers 55+ Get ready to relive your glory days (or experience them for the very first time!) at Senior Day on Thursday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) in Akron, Ohio. This...
Soap Box Derby Hall of Famer “Tex” Finsterwald passes at 81
Herman “Tex” Finsterwald II of Grand Blanc, Michigan, a 2006 inductee into the International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) Hall of Fame, died on Friday, July 12. He was 81. Tex’s long-time love of Soap Box Derby began when he raced as a child in Flint, Michigan in the 1950s....
2024 Soap Box Derby World Champions Race to Finish
Akron, Ohio - July 20, 2024 - More than 320 Soap Box Derby racers of all genders from across the country, Canada, and as far as Japan participated in today’s 86th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby held today, for the chance to win $36,000 in college...
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 States, Canada and Japan will compete for the title of world champion on...
SOAP BOX DERBY ANNOUNCES YOUTH AWARDS
. AKRON, Ohio (July 8, 2024) – The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) announces this year's President's Youth Volunteer Service Award recipients. The awards recognize volunteers under the age of 21 who have made a positive impact on...
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 honored during the post-race awards ceremony for the 86th FirstEnergy...
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 Akron, Ohio, as something just that - all "American." And who would...
International Soap Box Derby Hall of Famer Ed Harmon Dies at 90
Akron, OHIO (May 27, 2024) - Edgar “Ed” Harmon, 90, a 2019 inductee into the International Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame, located in Akron, Ohio, died on May 24 after a short battle with cancer. A life-long Akron resident, Ed raced in the Akron local race for three...
Gravity Racing Challenge: Soap Box Derby for Local Schools
AKRON, Ohio (May 18, 2024) - Rain and cold temperatures didn't stop the more than 70 Gravity Racing Challenge teams that came to Derby Downs in Akron to compete for top prizes among their peers. Four high schools competed Thursday, May 9 and 18 grade schools and youth...
Soap Box Derby HOF and Youth Award Nominations Due May 17
AKRON, Ohio (April 21, 2024)—International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) seeks nominations for the Class of 2024 inductees into the Hall of Fame and for the Annual President’s Youth Volunteer Service Award. The ISBD will present the awards at the 86th FirstEnergy All-American...
AKRON SOAP BOX DERBY HOSTS GIRLS STEM DAY APRIL 27
We are full for 2024! Registration is now closed. Thank you to everyone who registered. We look forward to seeing you! AKRON, Ohio (April 9, 2024) – International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) is inviting middle-school-aged girls to participate in the “Girls Racing to STEM”...
Lifelong Volunteer, Butch Mitchell, has passed away
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of an outstanding member of our Soap Box Derby family. Butch Mitchell, a dedicated and passionate volunteer who poured his heart into the Soap Box Derby, has sadly passed away. He was born on April 14th, 1941. Butch...
2023 Hall of Fame Inductee John Peter (JP) Fedele has passed away
John Peter (JP) Fedele, former race director of the Madison, Wisconsin Soap Box Derby and active volunteer for the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby since 1982, died in Madison on October 19 at 72 years old. Fedele was inducted into the 2023 Soap Box Derby Hall...
Soap Box Derby Names Scott Taylor as Chief Executive Officer
International Soap Box Derby, Inc., has named Scott Taylor, a 37-year veteran of leadership posts in non-profit organizations, to serve as its president and chief executive officer effective Monday, August 21. Taylor currently is executive director of The Portage...
Dasha’s Journey from Ukraine to Nebraska to Ohio to Compete in the All-American Soap Box Derby
AKRON, Ohio – Ukrainian-born Dasha Driscoll, 12, will represent Omaha as well as her home country in the 85th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby on Saturday, July 22 at Derby Downs here. Dasha won the novice Stock division at the Omaha Soap Box Derby in June in...
Soap Box Derby Introduces New Wheel for Racing Competition
AKRON, Ohio – Officials of International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) are introducing a new wheel which will be used on competitors’ race cars during the 85th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby world championships at Derby Downs later this month. The new UniGrip wheel...