The premier youth and family oriented racing program in the United States came to Omaha as the 2010 Inter/Tech Omaha Area Soap Box Derby raced into town Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20. More than 60 Iowa and Nebraska youth ages 8 to 17 competed in their gravity-powered cars for a chance to represent the Omaha-Council Bluffs area at the 73rd All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, July 24.
The Knights of Columbus Super Kids race was also held on Sunday. In this race, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council No. 3019, experienced racers rode in dual control cars with special needs children -- also known as “Super Kids.” For more information on this division, contact Jerry Van Waart at 712-347-9702 or visit www.nationalsuperkids.org.
This is the 21st year at the track, and we had a very special first time Stock participant in this year’s race, Ben Furstenberg. Ben’s great-grandfather, Jack Furstenberg, was the first Omaha champ to represent Omaha at the first All-American Soap Box Derby in 1934. Jack was sponsored by the Omaha Bee now the Omaha World-Herald. He had the fastest car and the most advanced car in the race. He was so fast that his car was held back for six seconds to give the other cars a head start. Amazingly, he still finished in third place.
The Omaha Area Soap Box Derby Association is dedicated to helping children become solid community citizens through the teaching of basic construction skills, teamwork, the spirit of competition, perseverance and family values.
The Omaha-area race was one of 170 held across the U.S. and overseas this year where participants competed in one of three divisions: Stock, Super Stock and Masters. Boys and girls enter a local soap box derby race by building a car from a kit purchased from the All-American Soap Box Derby and passing a pre-race safety and construction
inspection. Participants are required to compete in the soap box derby race geographically closest to where they reside. All race winners in each division automatically earn the right to compete in the All-American World Championships.
Approximately 500 participants from around the world competed in Akron, and college scholarships were awarded to the top six place winners in each division.
Cars are assembled in as little as four hours with the help of a parent or other adult. The Stock division is mainly for beginners who build simplified cars; drivers range from age 8 to 13 years old. Super Stock racers build larger model cars, and drivers are age 10 to 17 years old. Masters competitors build a more sophisticated, designed car and are also between 10 and 17 years old. In competition, a derby car can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour or more depending on the angle of the ramp or hill.
The All-American Soap Box Derby was established in 1933 and is an American tradition. The goals of the All-American Soap Box Derby haven’t changed. By teaching youngsters to become solid community citizens through teamwork, the spirit of competition, perseverance and family values, the All-American Soap Box Derby is highly respected by community leaders, educators, racing enthusiasts and beginners alike. “It’s car racing at its purest level,” said Jerry Van Waart, Region IV Director, All-American Soap Box Derby. ”The Soap Box Derby strives to instill important values among children through basic construction skills and a fun and spirited activity.”
For more information, contact Jerry Van Waart at 712-347-9702.
About the All-American Soap Box Derby
Akron, Ohio-headquartered All-American Soap Box Derby, founded in 1933, is one of the most established grassroots youth and family organizations in the United States. The All-American Soap Box Derby sanctions races year round in 170 cites and communities in the U.S. and overseas. The annual championship, the All-American Soap Box Derby is held each July at Derby Downs in Akron. In the past 14 years, overall race participation (ages 8-17) has doubled, with approximately 45 percent being girls. The All-American Soap Box Derby actively promotes the core values of teamwork, the spirit of competition, perseverance and an emphasis on family.
About the Omaha Area Soap Box Derby Association
The Omaha Area Soap Box Derby Association is dedicated to helping children become solid community citizens through the teaching of basic construction skills, teamwork, the spirit of competition, perseverance and family values. Races are held in Omaha April through October.