Soap Box Derby set for Saturday

Drivers on North Sprigg Street will be powered by gravity Saturday as The Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau hosts its annual Soap Box Derby. Competing drivers will race 900 feet, ending near Cape Place Apartments. The races will begin at 9 a.m. near Blanchard Elementary School.

The derby consists of two divisions: stock and super stock. Stock racers are ages 8 to 13 and steer 70-pound stock cars. The total weight allowed in this division, racer and car combined, is 200 pounds. Super stock racers are 10 to 17 years old and steer 80-pound cars, for a total weight of 230 pounds.

At the beginning of each race, competitors line up on the starting ramp. Then a pin is pulled, simultaneously releasing all cars to gravity. Then it is up to the racers to pull themselves as low as possible into their car while keeping their trajectory straight. The cars can reach 25 mph traveling down the road, which will be lined with straw bales.

The racers of each division will compete in two heats, advancing by double elimination based upon the time differential between each car to cross the line, meaning racers are competing against more than just the racer next to them.

"The most exciting [racing] years are when the winner comes from behind in the elimination bracket," said Tracey Glenn, race organizer for Cape Girardeau's Rotary Club.

Preparations for the race began as all the cars, made up of aspen flooring and plastic bodies, were constructed in a building clinic weeks ago. Race rules require the cars be assembled at the clinic from a kit, weighed and checked in prior to the race.

This Soap Box Derby is one of 150 qualifying races held across the U.S. giving winners from each division the opportunity to compete in the National All-American Soap Box Derby held in Akron, Ohio.

Trophies will be given to racers placing first through fourth in each division. All racers will receive a T-shirt and trophy of participation.

This weekend's Soap Box Derby is to raise funds for Cape Girardeau's Rotary Club, who then gives money to people throughout the community. Local companies purchase the cars, and racers are often the children and grandchildren of company employees.

"There is so much that goes into these events: insurance, helmets, stickers, shirts, PA systems, the national race fee," Glenn said. "We couldn't do it without our sponsors, like Plaza Tire and others."

Concessions will be available provided by Boy Scout Troop 5. Any possible rain postponement to Sunday will be called the morning of the race.