Mantua – Across the country, would-be racers of all ages work together to build gravity-powered and STEM-driven cars to compete in local Soap Box Derby races and rallies. “The Soap Box Derby is rooted in family and community,” shared Portage County Soap Box Derby organizer Dean Olsen. And on Wednesday, May 10th beginning at 5:30 pm, past and potential racers are invited to an introduction to Derby racing and tune-up clinic at the VFW building at Buchert Park in Mantua (4808 East High Street).
According to Olsen, Soap Box Derby Racing is open to all children ages 7-21 years old. The purpose of the clinic is to introduce Derby Racing to potential racers and prepare them for the Portage County race on Saturday, June 17th. As an added benefit, the Portage County organization has several “corporate cars” that will be available for racing on a first-come basis. Over a dozen sponsored cars will be paired with interested drivers at the May 10th event.
In addition, officials at the clinic will assist previous drivers in tuning up their cars to help prepare them for Rally Racing events as well as Portage County’s Soap Box Derby in June. This will be the only opportunity drivers will have to access board members for assistance with tune ups prior to the start of racing season. According to Olsen, last year’s event in Mantua attracted 24 racers across the three racing divisions: Stock, Super Stock, and Masters. This year, the group hopes to attract even more racers as they steadily rebuild since the pandemic.
In addition, for the first time in Mantua, the local race on June 17th will welcome Super Kids to race. Super Kids are children with disabilities who are paired with a derby racer, placed in a specially-designed derby car and given the opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement of racing the course at speeds of up to 32 miles per hour. Olsen is thrilled the group can provide this opportunity to participate in this exhilarating racing experience to local Super Kids. “We’ve talked about adding this special event this for a while,” Olsen noted. To ensure the hill is safe for racers of all abilities, Ronyak Paving is working with the Village of Mantua to resurface the hill on East High Street where the local race takes place.
To find out how your Super Kid can be involved, stop by the May 10th event or contact Dean Olsen. Boy and Girl Scout troops are encouraged to check out the event on May 10th, as well as any families looking for more information about the youth racing program that’s been around since 1934.
“Soap Box racing is the great equalizer,” Olsen shared. “Whether the racer is seven years old and 43 pounds, or an 18-year-old near the end of their racing adventure, when you’re in a soap box car, you’re all equal. And it’s amazing to see how proficient the little ones are,” Olsen added. He’s been involved with the Portage County Soap Box Derby for 20 years.
Olsen explained that on June 17th, Village Park will transform into a hub of Soap Box Derby activities from early morning when the cars are inspected until the last racers descend the hill that evening. The first-place winners from each race division in Mantua will move on to race at the All-American Soap Box Derby Championship Race held at Derby Downs in Akron the third weekend in July.
For more information on the May 10th event or the Portage County Soap Box Derby, contact Dean Olson (330) 351-3035.
