America 250: A look at Akron's Soap Box Derby history during Race Week

It didn't start here.

But one of America's most endearing annual sports events certainly gained its momentum in Akron.

The city is poised to host some 300 young racers and their families starting Saturday, July 11, for the All-American Soap Box Derby.

This will be the 88th running of the race where ingenuity, skill and gravity rule the day.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Akron Beacon Journal and the Akron History Center are taking a monthly look at the city's contribution to the fabric of the nation, and the Derby certainly crosses the finish line.

Akron's resident historian and president of the Akron History Center, David Lieberth said the Soap Box Derby and the city's famed Derby Hill have attracted tens of thousands of visitors and national attention to the Rubber City for nearly a century.

The Derby, Lieberth said, is an example of what he calls "quirky" history associated with Akron.

The national − now international − race got its start in 1934 in Dayton attracting some 362 racers from 34 cities.

Robert Turner of Muncie, Indiana, was winner of the first $500 prize.

The next year the Derby moved to Akron and the following year in 1936, the permanent track was built.

Lieberth said the race has evolved over the years.

But in its heyday some 40,000 spectators would gather along Derby Downs to watch the cars fly down the track.

"Those grandstands, when you look at those past pictures, they were filled with people," Lieberth said. "It was a big deal."

The history of the Derby is explored at the Akron History Center and also at Derby Hill where records of the race are kept and some cars from over the years are on display.

And equally big deal was the Derby's old Parade of Champions in downtown Akron.

Its partnerships over the years from everything from tire companies to auto manufactures, Lieberth said, helped the Derby land some big celebrities from actors Jimmy Stewart and Ronald Reagan to singer Pat Boone and even Roy Rogers.

Daredevil Evel Knievel and racing legend Dale Earnhardt even greeted racers at the Derby.

"Derby week was a big deal," Lieberth said.

The 2011 movie "25 Hill" written and directed by actor Corbin Bernsen was filmed in Akron and featured the Derby.

The length of the track has varied over the years and so have the records for the fastest runs.

The specifications of the car designs have evolved too along with the number of divisions and age groups.

Here's a look at track records for fastest runs during race week:

• 1936 – 1939 (1,175-foot track) Cliff Hardesty, White Plains, N.Y., 27.80 (1939) – finished first in the All-American
• 1946 – 1970 (975.4-foot track) Tony Penuelas, San Diego, Calif., 26.63 (1947)
• 1971 – 1999 (953.75-foot track) Ed Myers, Conshohocken, Pa., 27.10 (1974) – finished third in the All-American
• 2000 – Present (989.4-foot track) Hilary Pearson, Kansas City, Mo., 28.24 (2004) – finished first in the Masters Division of the All-American
• 2000 – Present (989.4-foot track) Sherry Lazowski, 26.585 (2011) – Ultimate Speed Division Car

What to know about Derby Week in Akron

Some 300 racers and their families from across the country along with Canada and Japan are expected this year for the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby.

A week of activities with practice and qualifying runs will be held throughout the week before the final races on Saturday, July 18, when the champions will be crowned.

 “We are excited to welcome these young champions and their families to Akron for the world championships at the iconic Derby Downs,” said Dennis VanFossen Jr., president and chief executive officer ofInternational Soap Box Derby.  “They will be competing for a share of $36,000 in Bill Speeg Memorial Fund college scholarships.”

The racers, ranging in age from 7 to 20, had to compete in local races to earn a ticket to the championships in Akron.

The week starts with check in at Derby Downs.

A welcome party is planned Monday, July 13 at Jellystone Park in Uniontown.

Preliminary races begin on Tuesday, July 14.

An Open House is planned for the public from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 16.

The National SuperKids Classic, where racers are assisted in a two-person car, is planned for Friday, July 17.

A Vintage Derby Car Show will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 17, at St. Matthew’s Church Recreation Center, 2603 Benton Ave., in Akron. The show will feature displays of Derby cars from over the years spanning some nine decades.

The Champion races will be on Saturday, July 18. The day will begin with a parade at 8 a.m. along with opening ceremonies.

Championship heats are expected to continue through 2 p.m.

The awards ceremony is planned for 7 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre.

Race day tickets are available in advance starting at $12.51 at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/88th-firstenergy-all-american-soap-box-derby-world-championships-tickets-1982782782678?aff=oddtdtcreator

How can you contribute to yearlong project?

We'd like to hear from you about what you think the city of Akron's major contribution to American history has been.

We are collecting your suggestions and plan to use them to help chart our course and also share some of them in our final installment of the monthly series of articles planned for December.

Send along your suggestions − along with a paragraph or two explaining why − by email to vop@thebeaconjournal.com with the subject line "Akron's contributions," or mail it to Voice of the People, Akron Beacon Journal, 388 S. Main St., Suite 720, Akron, OH 44311. Be sure to include your full name, city of residence and contact information.

Or, fill out the form below to submit your ideas.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: America 250: A look at Akron's Soap Box Derby history during Race Week