Wednesday, July 25, 2007

It's the Soap Box Derby!


If you were in Akron Ohio on July 21, you should have been at the Derby Downs for the 70th All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship. Fortunately for FIMP, C. Hayes was there with her camera, documenting the occasion for all of us who missed it.


The official track is 989 feet, four inches long. The record time set by one of these gravity-powered racers on the current track length is 28.24 seconds, by Hilary Pearson of Kansas City in 2004.


All the cars are built from kits by the kids. Many of them have sponsors supporting them, and you know that I'll be eating at the Underpass Grill the next time I'm in Ogallala, NE.


The gentleman in purple is the oldest living derby racer! Speaking of the oldest living racer, you can find a very thorough history of the Soap Box Derby at All American Soap Box Derby website.

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