Soap Box Derby Returns to Newark

It was almost 40 years ago when hot rodders raced home-built cars through Newark, but thanks to NJIT, the City of Newark and Rutgers University, Newark, the city will hold its first All-American Soap Box Derby on June 16. Although today hot rodders assemble cars from kits, the excitement and thrill of racing downhill on Warren Street hasn't changed much, said Juan Silva, president of Our Youth Now, an organization he founded to support young people.

Three car kits were purchased from the All American Soap Box Derby and assembled earlier this month by NJIT students and Newark middle school students.

Although the race will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., interested by-standers may arrive as early as 7 a.m. to see the cars being transported and set up. At 9 a.m. warm-up races will begin. The course is down Warren Street from MLK Boulevard to University Place. Food and other vendors will be available.

Students from as many as 20 different Newark schools and organizations are expected to participate. The winner will travel to Akron, Ohio in early July for the world championship. Three family members will join him in an all-paid trip.

History of Soap Box Derby

The idea of the Soap Box Derby grew out of a photographic assignment of Dayton, Ohio, newsman Myron Scott. He covered a race of boy-built cars in his home community and was so impressed with this event that he acquired a copyright for the idea and began development of a similar program on a national scale.

The first All-American race was held in Dayton in 1934. The following year, the race was moved to Akron because of its central location and hilly terrain. In 1936, Akron civic leaders recognized the need for a permanent track site for the youth racing classic and, through the efforts of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Derby Downs became a reality.

Each year since, with the exception of during World War II, youngsters from throughout the United States and several foreign countries have come to Akron with the racers they have built and driven to victory in their home communities.

The goals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since it began in 1934. They are to teach youngsters some of the basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun.