It’s summer and you’re bored with your X-box, Playstation and DS… why not build yourself a Soapbox Racecar?!?! It’s a great way to catch some rays, spend some time with dad in the garage, or just learn about gravity and the dynamics of some hot wheels.
The Soapbox Story
1930s Soapbox
Soapbox racing was a pretty big deal back in the olden days. When they were kids, it was probably your great-grandparents that came up with the idea to put some baby carriage wheels on a wooden crate, walk it up to the top of Satan’s Hill and race two or three cars for bragging rights.
Derby Democracy
Great Growth
Soapbox racing evolved into the popular Soapbox Derby. Derbies were so big in the 70s and 80s that even American Presidents made appearances at the National Finals. Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Regan have shown up at the All-American Soapbox Derby in Akron, Ohio.
Kits VS Kreativity
All-American Style
The big National Derbies have become quite serious and really fancy. To enter these Derbies, the rule is that you have to buy a special Soapbox Kit that contains all the materials to build the soapbox car. The kit is pretty expensive and not as much fun to build as something you might make out of the junk from your dad’s garage. It's much more fun to be creative and build something different than everybody else's car.
Home Town Trophy
Backyard Barn Burner
Most cities and even small towns have smaller local Soapbox Derbies that takes place sometime during the summer. Try to search for a soapbox derby in your hometown by googling “soapbox derby” and “your hometown”, and you might just be able to enter and win some cool prizes.
Round Up Some Rivalry
Need 4 Speed
The best way to race a soapbox is just with some friends on your neighborhood block’s big hill. You don’t really even need a big hill, but just a short road with a little bit of a steep part. Also, get a parent to watch out for cars and keep things safe, because the last thing you want is a demolition derby.
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- Quiz the Coach - How Do I Build A Soap Box Car?
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- An Inside Look at Kart Racing
