Soap-box derby rekindles memories with May event

Even though it was 25 years ago, Mark Kelsay remembers his days as a soap-box derby racer as a time when he grew closer to his father than ever before.

They put countless hours into building two of the cars, from sawing the wood to the tiring work of sanding and painting the long, sleek, red-and-blue frames. When they were finished, they raced them down hills where he lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later in St. Louis.

"It was so much fun," said the 40-year-old Kelsay of Jackson. "Part of it was getting close to my dad too."

Kelsay recently offered to donate the racers to the Rotary Club, and he wants to get involved with the derby again with his 13-year-old daughter.

Approaching fast

Organizers of the All-American Soap Box Derby say that's what the event has been about for years -- family togetherness and fun -- and this year's Cape Girardeau race is fast approaching. The event, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Rotary Club, will be held May 3, beginning at 8 a.m. on North Sprigg Street in front of Blanchard Elementary School.

Rick Hetzel, race director of the soap box derby, said those who are interested in participating need to contact Rotarian Denise Stewart at 334-7741 to get a registration packet. Registration is $35. Stewart can assist participants with getting car-building kits. The kits generally cost about $450, Hetzel said.

Those interested in participating also must attend one of two clinic dates, which will be on March 22 and April 12 at St. Francis Medical Center, which sponsors the event. That's where adults and young drivers will put the kits together, Hetzel said, adding that it's much simpler than it was in the old days when they were built from scratch.

In its fourth year locally, the event will have a few changes. Eight-year-olds can now participate, and a new division of "super stock cars" has been added that Hetzel said offer more room for larger children.

Between 20 to 30 cars are expected in the stock division and 10 to 15 cars in the super-stock division. Hetzel said the club has already purchased some super stock cars that are for sale on a first-come, first-serve basis.

All participants will be given trophies and there will also be special first-, second- and third-place trophies, Hetzel said. The champion will go to Akron, Ohio, in July to participate in the national race.

"The bottom line is you couldn't ask for a more positive event than to have an adult role model help you build a soap-box derby racer and then race it," Hetzel said.

Financial assistance

Plus, the money goes toward a good cause. Denise Stewart is a member of the board for the derby. She said money goes to youth-oriented groups. Organizations that have received money in the past include Area Wide United Way, Safe House for Women, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and Network Against Sexual Violence. The club makes financial awards all year long as requests are made.

Each year, the event raises about $10,000, and Stewart said they hope for an increase.

"The more we make, the more we can give back to the community," she said.

Rotary Club president Clayton Smith called it a "good recycling of a charitable dollar."

He also said it takes a large group of volunteers to help keep the event going every year.

"My guess is it's going to take our whole club, 90 some volunteers, as well as some auxiliary support," Smith said. "But it's a good cause: It all goes back to support children and youth in our community."

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137