Welcome to the Greater Pittsburgh Soapbox Derby

 over 50yrs in existence and still going strong

The Greater Pittsburgh Soapbox Derby (GPSBDA) is the home to soapbox derby racing in the Greater Pittsburgh Area

The Soap Box Derby is a youth racing program which has run nationally since 1934. World Championship finals are held each July at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio.  The idea of the Soap Box Derby grew out of a photographic assignment of Dayton, Ohio, newsman Myron Scott . He covered a race of boy-built cars in his home community and was so impressed with this event that he acquired a copyright for the idea and began development of a similar program on a national scale.  

The first All-American race was held in Dayton in 1934. The following year, the race was moved to Akron because of its central location and hilly terrain. In 1936, Akron civic leaders recognized the need for a permanent track site for the youth racing classic and, through the efforts of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Derby Downs became a reality.

The goals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since it began in 1934. They are to teach youngsters some of the basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun.

 

Contact:

Race Director - Bryan Brain               brew1974@verizon.net

President - John Wagner                   pghsoapboxderby@yahoo.com

Vice President - Joe McCurdy             jmccurd@yahoo.com

Treasurer - Jason Bialon                   jbialon@paturnpike.com

Secretary - Tony Startare                 anthony.startare@philips.com