News

Thank You Thursday - Dairy Queen

“We want more racing!”

Those words were heard loud and clear by International Soap Box Derby President & CEO Joe Mazur when he took over the reins of the non-profit organization in March of 2011. “One of the common themes I heard from racers and race families was that they wanted more racing during the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship race,” said Mazur. “They liked the format of the All-American race but they just wanted more racing leading up to Saturday’s World Championship race.”

Mazur and his team got together with the Rally Commission and came up with the idea of a Rally Challenge test race in 2013. The race, open to just Rally Champs, was contested over three days and was the first ever single elimination, three phase race where champs raced in all three lanes, swapping wheels after each phase from a special wheel bank. The champ with the best time after three phases advanced to the next round of competition where eventually champions were crowned in the Stock, Super Stock and Masters Divisions.

The race was so successful that the Derby wanted to continue the race in 2014 so it went out looking for a sponsor. Dairy Queen® restaurant owners in the Akron area stepped in and the race was re-branded the DQ Rally Challenge.

“We’re thankful for Dairy Queen’s partnership with such a unique event,” said Mazur. “Because of their involvement we’ve been able to provide more racing which is what families from all over the world come to Akron to do during the All-American race-week.”

Below please find a list of DQ Rally Challenge Winners:

2013
Stock - Kirsten Hull, Carmel, Ind.
Super Stock - Julia Castner, Hubbard, Ohio
Masters - Sean Brown, Spotsylvania, Va.

2014
Stock - Melody Castner, Hubbard, Ohio
Super Stock - Nick Hubbell, Johnstown, Ohio
Masters - Haley Aull, Uniontown, Ohio

2015
Stock - Evan Maves, Middleton, Wis.
Super Stock - Marisa Locastro, Auburn, N.Y.
Masters - Haley Aull, Uniontown, Ohio

2016
Stock -Julia Irving, Lexington, Mass.
Super Stock - Cailey Bozic, Tallmadge, Ohio
Masters - Haley Aull, Uniontown, Ohio

The Derby would like to say THANK YOU to participating Dairy Queen® locations in Ashland, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit & Wayne Counties in Ohio for helping us continue our mission of building knowledge and character, and creating meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition.

This is the 10^th installment of our weekly “Thank You Thursday” feature. Each week we will offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to a corporation, civic or community leader, volunteer, foundation or an individual who has helped us continue our mission. To view previous features please click below.