SOAP BOX DERBY WILL BE REVIVED

A piece of Americana will return to the streets of Cape Girardeau this year with the resurrection of the All-American Soap Box Derby.

The Cape Girardeau Rotary Club voted Monday to hold a series of races of the hand-built, gravity-powered cars this year for youngsters ages 9 to 16.

"We tried to come up with something missing in Cape Girardeau that would add to the quality of life," said Dr. Dieter Jedan, chairman of the Rotary Club's fund-raising committee.

The Soap Box Derby is an activity "that teaches you to follow instructions, rules and regulations, and still have good sportsmanship," he said.

Soap Box Derby races previously were held in the city in the 1930s and 1940s. An attempt by the Jaycees to resurrect the races years later failed.

St. Francis Medical Center has agreed to sponsor the first year of races. In addition, the Rotary Club hopes service clubs, churches and nonprofit organizations will buy one of the $400 car kits so that families don't necessarily have to bear the cost.

"That organization would always be the owner but would make the car available to kids in the church or Boy Scouts or the Jaycees," Jedan said. "Then money is not the question anymore."

After the car is used one year it would be dismantled and then rebuilt the following year in compliance with All-American Soap Box Derby rules. Clinics will be held to show youngsters how to build their cars.

This first year, youngsters will compete only in the stock division. There are three divisions in all that compete at the national finals in Akron, Ohio.

Helping to organize the races in Cape Girardeau are Rotary members Chap Arnold, an insurance agent, and Police Chief Rick Hetzel.

Jedan said the nearest Soap Box Derby race is held in Russellville, Ark., but races are being started this year in Branson and in Murray, Ky.

Likely locations for the races are the new section of Sprigg Street in front of Blanchard School or Perryville Road next to Capaha Park. The latter was the site of the races held here more than 50 years ago.

Dates for the races have not yet been set. Jedan said the club may try to piggyback the races onto the SEMO District Fair, the Fourth of July celebration, the Southeast Missouri State University Homecoming or possibly Riverfest, if one is held this year.

Clubs, organizations, churches or families interested in sponsoring a car or getting more information can contact him at 334-4251.