26 Soap Box Derby racers to get trial run Saturday at racetrack

Soap Box Derby drivers will have an opportunity to put their racers to the test Saturday.

For some, it will mark the first time they have been behind the wheel on the actual racetrack.

All drivers are being invited to participate in time trials at the race site on North Sprigg Street at Blanchard School, said Denise Stewart, chairman of the Cape Girardeau Rotary Club and St. Francis Medical Center Soap Box Derby.

"We have a new timing device to clock the cars," Stewart said. "We want to test the device, so we've invited drivers to attend the Saturday practice session." The track will be open from 9 to noon.

The Soap Box Derby will be at 9 a.m. May 18.

Racing weekend activities get under way at 6 p.m. May 17 with the registration of cars and drivers in the Blanchard School gymnasium. Cars will be inspected and weighed, and drivers will receive shirts and last-minute instruction.

Drivers who cannot make the Friday meeting should be at the school by 7 a.m. May 18.

First race in 1933

The winner from the Cape Girardeau district will qualify for the All-American Soap Box Derby July 27 at Akron, Ohio. Evan Henry of Jackson, Mo., was last year's Cape Girardeau winner. The American Soap Box Derby has traveled a long road since that first-ever official motorless race in Dayton, Ohio, in 1933, when 19 boys showed up for a coasting race.

The 2001 race involved 389 racers in three classes and attracted more than 18,000 race fans for the 64th running of the Soap Box Derby. Races were not held during the World War II era.

Today, Soap Box Derby activities continue for a week. There are three divisions:

Stock for children 9 to 16: Made up of generic, prefab racers that come from Derby-approved kits that can be assembled in four hours and don't exceed 200 pounds when driver, car and wheels are weighed together.

Super Stock for children 10 to 16: The same as Stock only with a weight limit of 220 pounds.

Masters for children 11 to 16: Made up of racers designed by the drivers but constructed with Derby-approved hardware. The racing ramp at Derby Downs is 953.75 feet with an 11 percent grade.

Only one champion reigned at the All-American Soap Box Derby each year from 1934 to 1975, before new divisions were added in 1976.

Only one division -- Stock -- is available at the Cape Girardeau races.