SOAPBOX DERBY OFFERS FAMILY FUN AND LEARNING

In the early 1940s, youngsters rode their soapbox racers down the hill on Perry Avenue alongside Capaha Park. The races were pretty exciting for those drivers, and those who are still around have vivid memories of building their race cars and competing in Cape Girardeau's own Soapbox Derby.

But World War II and other factors intervened. The races were discontinued. In the 1970s the Jaycees made an effort to revive the soapbox races.

Now the gravity-fueled races are returning to Cape Girardeau. The Cape Girardeau Rotary Club is sponsoring a Soapbox Derby Sept. 16. The race, during the Southeast Missouri District Fair, will be on Sprigg Street in front of the new Blanchard Elementary School. For approximately 50 young drivers, this promises to a day they will long remember.

Although this year's derby isn't officially sanctioned by the national organization in Akron, Ohio, the race is carefully adhering to official rules. The race cars themselves are being assembled from authorized kits purchased by generous sponsors from the national organization.

What began as a Rotary club fund-raising project has quickly become a family-oriented endeavor that has won approval and support from a broad base of organizations, businesses and individuals.

The derby brings youngsters and adult family members -- or surrogates from the Rotary club -- together for an intensive assembly clinic where the racers are put together from the official kits. This process takes several hours, and it's a good way for adults and youngsters to work together and still have fun. Youngsters must learn and abide by the rules. The Rotary club hopes this year's experience with the derby will pave the way for fully sanctioned races next year with even more racers.

Nearly 30 racers have been purchased for this year's derby. Two drivers are being allowed for each car in order to get more participation. Businesses are busy finding ways to get their names displayed on the assembled cars. And everyone is looking forward to a lot of fun on Sept. 16.

This year's racers will, in many cases, be prominently displayed by their owner-sponsors throughout the year. The cars can be raced again and again. And quite a few more cars are expected to be purchased next year. Before long, derby day should be quite an event with racers in several classes.

It has taken a lot of work by members of the Rotary committee that organized the return of the Soapbox Derby. Those Rotarians deserve a lot of credit.

But a lot of credit also goes to the sponsors and the many other civic clubs who have joined this wonderful community event. And that's just exactly what the Rotary club hoped would happen.