News : Soap Box Derby Coming to Dunwoody
By David Markiewicz, The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Photo: Johnny Crawford/AJC file
The wheels will be turning in Dunwoody Saturday morning when Soap Box Derby racing comes to town.
Boys and girls ages 8 to 17 are being encouraged to show up for the event at First Baptist Church and take a turn driving one of the engine-less race cars which typically hit speeds of about 30 miles per hour.
The race, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Dunwoody, was originally billed as the First Annual All-American Soap Box Derby, and the winners in three car categories — stock, super-stock and masters — were slated to head to Akron, Ohio. in August for the international championship.
But race organizers didn't get their license to operate from the All-American Soap Box Derby headquarters until March, and the late notification prevented them from registering enough drivers, and obtaining enough cars, to make the race official.
As a result, Saturday's affair will be a fun run, a chance for organizers to prepare for a 2009 race, and an opportunity for children with speed on their minds to take a turn going down the course.
Registration, which starts at 8:30 a.m., is required. Racing is to begin at 9 a.m.
"We're looking at this year as a success even though we won't have many kids in cars," said race director Susan Swanson.
One stock car will be available for racing by those who come, Swanson said. Two other racers with their own cars are also expected. In an official race, drivers must have their own cars which they assemble from a kit.
Soapbox cars, so-named because they once were crafted from wooden soap crates, have a wood floorboad and plastic shell, along with brakes and a steering mechanism. They weigh 63 pounds, but weights can be added to a maximum of 200 pounds. The added weight increases speed. The Dunwoody course is about 1,000 feet long.
The Dunwoody race is the second Soap Box event in metro Atlanta this year. Marietta has successfully held an official race for several years.
First Baptist Church is located at 4400 North Peachtree Road in Atlanta. Further information can be obtained at www.dunwoodykiwanisclub.org or at 770-668-0935.