News
The latest news and updates from the International Soap Box Derby.
Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame Selects Three New Members for 2022 Class of Inductees
Three long-time volunteers will be inducted into the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame during the post-race awards ceremony for the 84th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby on the evening of Saturday, July 23. “The Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame was established in 1997, to...
State of Ohio Awards $500,000 Grant to Soap Box Derby for Capital Projects
The State of Ohio has awarded a $500,000-grant to International Soap Box Derby, Inc. (ISBD) for capital improvement projects at Derby Downs, home of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship in July and special racing and community events...
Soap Box Derby Champions to Be Recognized at the Statehouse
Representing more than 70 communities throughout Ohio, 136 Soap Box Derby Champions will be recognized for their accomplishments during the 11th annual Statehouse Recognition Day held in their honor in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, May 25. Honorees include Ohio Local...
The International Soap Box Derby® Presents 9th Annual STEM Summer Camp Program
The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) will be hosting its 9th annual STEM Summer Program at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. Beginning June 6 through June 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. boys and girls aged 8-13 are invited to experience the excitement of building and...
Students Set to Compete in the Soap Box Derby’s Gravity Racing Challenge STEM Team Competition Presented by The University of Akron
While this week’s event will look different from previous years, 63 student teams from 15 different schools/organizations from grades three through eight will converge at the world-famous Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio, to compete for a victory in the Soap Box Derby...
Accenture partnering with the Soap Box Derby for Corporate Derby Challenge
Accenture is partnering with the International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) as the presenting sponsor of the Corporate Derby Challenge (CDC) on June 23 and 24. This event is the Soap Box Derby’s top annual fund-raiser to support the Derby’s mission. The CDC is a high-energy...
Soap Box Derby Seeks Nominations for 2022 Hall of Fame and Youth Service Awards
International Soap Box Derby, Inc., is seeking nominations for the organization’s Class of 2022 inductees into the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame and for the President’s Youth Volunteer Service Award. “With the rich history of the Soap Box Derby, we look forward to this...
Soap Box Derby Returns to Pre-COVID Activities; FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby Race Week July 17-23
Following two years of limitations due to COVID-19, Soap Box Derby racing is under way in local communities across the United States leading up to the 84th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby world championships at Derby Downs on Saturday, July 23. Racing season...
1937 World Champion Bob Ballard Dies; Engineering Career Led to Many Patents
Soap Box Derby headquarters recently has learned of the death in November 2020 of Robert Lewis (Bob) Ballard, who won the fourth All-American Soap Box Derby in 1937, as the 12-year-old champion from White Plains, New York. Ballard was 96 and was the longest-living...
University of Akron Continues Partnership with Soap Box Derby Through Gravity Racing Challenge and Education Programs
The University of Akron will continue its partnership with the Soap Box Derby on its Gravity Racing Challenge (GRC) STEM Team Competitions and STEM education programs. Scheduled to take place in Akron at Derby Downs, the GRC program consists of teams of students, from...