Drivers wanted for Cape's annual soap-box derby

The Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau is seeking area youths to drive in its annual soap-box derby May 7.

Each year, area companies buy a kit car, or coaster car with brakes, and enter it in the race, Rotary Club member Tracey Glenn said.

“Over time, the companies don’t have employees who have kids the right age, so they say to our club, ‘Here’s my car; we need a driver for it,’” she said.

In previous years, the race typically has had trouble filling all of the stock-sized cars, which are smaller. But this year’s race is experiencing a dearth of drivers for the super-stock division.

Children ages 7 to 13, depending on their size, are eligible for the stock race, and children ages 9 to 17 are eligible for the super-stock division.

Children must be of age on race day and attend a safety clinic from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday.

“They take the car apart to a certain level, and our Rotary guys will show them how everything works and make sure everything’s safe to race,” Glenn said.

Drivers also must be available for a final check-in and weigh-in from 3 to 7 p.m. May 6. The check-in and weigh-in takes about 90 minutes.

The derby has 16 stock drivers registered and needs four more. The super-stock has 12 cars registered, with six spots available.

The Rotary Club’s race is about 960 feet long and runs down Sprigg Street in front of Blanchard Elementary.

It also serves as a qualifier for the international All-American Soap Box Derby on July 16 in Akron, Ohio.

The registration fee for drivers is $35, plus $15 for a soap-box derby regulation helmet.

Those interested are encouraged to email Glenn at tglenn@glennpr.com or call (573) 270-3580.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627