Jerry Van Waart

Jerry Van Waart began his 52-year association with the Soap Box Derby as a Competitor in the local Sioux City, Iowa race. Over the years, he has helped hundreds of youngsters enter and race in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. As an industrial arts teacher, he has conducted numerous construction work shops to teach participants how to build race cars. He has been director and president of the Omaha race for many years and regional director of Region IV since 1990. He was instrumental in designing and building Soap Box Derby tracks in Sioux City, Iowa and Omaha and Ogallala, Nebraska.