About Us WHAT IS THE SOAP BOX DERBY? A soap box derby car is not a Cub Scout pinewood derby car. Soap box derby is a gravity racing program for boys and girls where a kid assembles a full-size derby car kit, puts on a helmet, sits in the car, and then literally drives the car downhill on a straight stretch of road competing one-on-one with another racer. The cars are built using kit cars bought from the All-American Soap Box Derby. The cars are purchased for, or loaned to, kids to race by families, sponsors, or local businesses. Kids must be involved in building the car they will race. Building a derby car helps kids with setting and completing goals. It helps develop traits, such as self-confidence, perseverance, and craftsmanship. Kids learn how to use a wrench, a screwdriver, plyers, hammer, and other tools. Each kid is encouraged to do as much of the work as his or her skill level permits. Building and racing a derby race car is a lot of fun and a rewarding experience for both the kid and the adult helping. The time spent together builds a strong bond and becomes an enjoyable shared experience. Each kid is a winner regardless of the outcome of a race as the kid has shared a memorable experience building and racing a derby car. It will create memories for a lifetime. The Track WHAT HAPPENS AT A LOCAL RACE? North Florida Soap Box Derby finds sponsors to help fund a local race held each year, and kids to drive derby cars, according to the rules and regulations of the All-American Soap Box Derby Association. Local rules are to promote safety and enhance the conduct and quality of the race. A car inspection to assure that each entrant is building his/her car according to AASBD standards for the current race year is required. The winner of each division is qualified to represent northern Florida in the World Champion Race held in Akron, Ohio each July. For more information contact Doug McAlarney at (850) 559-1986. How Can I Donate to North Florida Soap Box Derby? Contact the club and donate. Money raised will be used to pay for the race sanction fees and insurance (costs $1,600), the rental of street barricades and road closure signs (costs $650), a Professional Engineer to draft and certify a Maintenance of Traffic Plan (costs $200), a porta potty (costs $100), law enforcement, lunch and Gatorade for volunteers, trophies for kids, maintenance of cars. If we exceed our fundraising goals, funds will be used to help fund next year’s race. We have zero paid staff and no money raised is used to pay salaries. We are 100% volunteer driven. INTERNATIONAL SOAP BOX DERBY Mission Statement The Soap Box Derby® is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. Core Vaules and Drivers • Youth Education and Leadership Development• Family Engagement and Enrichment• Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance• Innovation and Entrepreneurship• Teamwork and Collaboration• Mentoring• Volunteerism• Commitment to Community The Derby is the official sanctioning body of Soap Box Derby racing and has exclusive licensing partnerships with more than 100 racing districts throughout world. These racing districts conduct sanctioned Soap Box Derby races throughout the year and qualify champs for the annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby® World Championship race at the world famous Derby Downs Track in Akron, Ohio. The Derby's Education Program is a fast-growing component of the organization and includes a STEM-Based Curriculum, the Gravity Racing Challenge® STEM Team Competition and a Mini Soap Box Derby program. The Derby also operates the world famous Derby Downs Track in Akron, Ohio where events are held throughout the racing season. The Board of Directors oversees the operation of the Derby, and the day-to-day activities are handled by the Headquarters staff in Akron.
