GLEN DALE, WV – Really? A vehicle race that can approach 25-35 mph without the use of engines?!
Yes, really. Design. . . aerodynamics. . . and of course gravity. That’s what gets these vehicles moving.
The Ohio Valley Soap Box Derby Club of Glen Dale will host its annual race on Saturday, June 3, on 4th Street in Glen Dale, with the chance to qualify for the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby World Finals July 16-22 at Derby Downs in Akron. The rain date for the race is Saturday, June 10.
Spots are still available for racers 8-16 years old in two divisions: stock and super stock. Racers must reside in Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, and Wetzel counties in West Virginia or Belmont County in Ohio. The registration fee is $50, and the club can provide vehicles to some stock and super stock racers on a first-come, first-served basis.
Racing begins about 12:30 p.m. on June 3, and the format is double-elimination, meaning each racer will “go down the hill” at least four times. Winners continue to advance, and at the end of race day the top three in each division win trophies. Racers do get the opportunity to practice prior to the race; trial runs are scheduled for April 29 at Grandview Park by the RV park.
The Soap Box Derby uniquely combines the force of gravity with the existence of family and togetherness to provide an amazing racing experience. Ohio Valley Soap Box Derby Director Shane Van Scyoc first became involved when his daughter Reagan, seven years old at the time, “brought a paper home and wanted to do Soap Box Derby. That was eight years ago,” he said.
Since those early days it’s been valuable time Van Scyoc has spent with his daughter. “The family time you spend working on the car. . . there’s not a whole lot of people who get to spend 10-15 minutes in the garage. Kids don’t know a lot about tools today. It gives them an idea on how to use a wrench, how to use a screwdriver. And it just gives you that little bit of time to spend with them.”
The Ohio Valley Soap Box Derby was started by Rev. Steven Jumper from Cameron, with its initial competition held on June 27, 2015. Thirteen racers competed that day, with Peyton Neely winning the stock division. Since then the race has been conducted yearly except in the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020; last year 25 children competed in the event. The organization welcomes 8-16 year-olds with differing levels of skill and experience. The Ohio Valley race in June will have two divisions: the stock division for newer, less-experienced drivers; and the super stock division for more experienced drivers.
For the champion of each division to qualify for Akron, his/her division is required to start with at least 12 drivers. Currently the stock division has eight racers registered, with four owning their own cars, so the Ohio Valley Club has eight cars remaining for racers. In the super stock division, eight racers are registered as well, with three owning their own cars. The club has seven cars remaining for drivers in this division.
So, young racers interested in trying out Soap Box Derby can get involved even without owning a car. But they need to register for a car before they are gone. To learn more about the event parents of interested racers can contact Van Scyoc at 304 559-5023 or ovsbda@gmail.com. The club website is soapboxderby.org/ohio-valley.
And what can new racers and parents expect when they enter the Soap Box Derby?
“Come check us out. There’s not a lot of time to spend in it. It’s just four mandatory days from March to race day. And see what you think about it,” Van Scyoc said.
“We enjoy it. Kids have a blast at it. We don’t make it a complete competition thing. We just want the kids to come out and enjoy themselves. It’s their day. We make it their day.”
The Glen Dale Soap Box Derby association does help with final assistance for the 2 winners that qualify for the World Finals in Akron.
In addition to the Soap Box Derby held in June. The Glen Dale Soap Box Derby Association hosts The Ohio Valley Super Kids Derby for kids with special needs. They ride down the hill as a passenger in a different type of car and that race day is May 20th.
The association is even doing a special race day for adults this year with 4 person teams on August 19th. If you need details on any of these events please reach out to Mr. Scyoc.
Article by Howard Karnell
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