Announcing the 2023 Columbus Soap Box Derby Championships
Celebrating the 78th Columbus Derby Championship Racing Begins May 6th at 9:30am
May 1, 2023 – Columbus, Ohio – Columbus Soap Box Derby, Inc. announced today details of its championship race scheduled for May 6th on Derby Hill in Big Run Park. 25 entries will compete in three divisions – Stock, Superstock, and Masters. Each division champion will represent the Columbus area in the All-American Championships on July 22nd in Akron.
“This is our 78th year of hosting a Columbus derby championship,” said Dan Kirk, Director of the Columbus Derby and 1988 champion. “Winners of this race represent Columbus in the World Championships in July. Last year, our Superstock division champion Eleni Fischer of Worthington went on to win the World Championship, and she’ll be competing again this year in the Masters division.”
This year’s theme is “Derby Rocks and Rolls” emphasizing the fun families have competing in this unique gravity-based STEM sport. Delaware Unity Community Center has five entries – four in the Superstock division and one in the Stock division. “UCC is an after-school STEAM program for kids in Delaware County”, said Meghan Bailey, UCC Program Director. “Soap Box Derby teaches our kids hands-on engineering lessons and good sportsmanship. My goal is that our Soap Box Derby, robotics, drone, and bridge building programs all inspire them to pursue technology-based careers.”
“Derby racing in Columbus has a rich tradition dating back to 1934”, said Bob Masheter, President, Dick Masheter Ford, Inc. “Derby develops youth STEM-skills in a fun, family, and competitive manner. We are pleased to once again be the title sponsor. Good luck to all of this year’s participants.”
This year’s field features one World Champion, eight All-Americans, ten rookies, and competitors from Columbus, Delaware, Dublin, Grandview, Lewis Center, Mt. Vernon, Norwood, Orient, Pickerington, Powell, Troy, Upper Arlington, Westerville, and Worthington. Adding to the rich family tradition, three competitors are 4th generation, four are 3rd generation, and two are 2nd generation.
In addition to Masheter Ford, race and derby car sponsors this year include Augustwenty Consulting, Boundless Health, Evening Kiwanis of Delaware, Foothills Fire, Grace Tire, Haus Foundation, Loeb Electric, Roehrenbeck Electric, Roosters, TechCon Solutions, Unity Community Center of Delaware, and Zach’s Truck Body & Paint.
Racing begins at 9:30am. Champions will be announced on Facebook and Instagram. Admission is free and the public is invited to cheer on the competitors. Racing occurs on Derby Hill in Big Run Park, 4201 Clime Road. Commemorative t-shirts can be purchased by emailing columbus@soapboxderby.org.
About Columbus Soap Box Derby, Inc.
Columbus Soap Box Derby, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that operates the Columbus Soap Box Derby. Find us on the web at www.soapboxderby.org/columbus. Follow us on Facebook at “Columbus Soap Box Derby” and on Instagram as @columbussoapbox_derby. Contact us at columbus@soapboxderby.org . History and pictures of most of the Columbus past champions are at http://www.soapboxderby.org/columbus/about-us/local-history.
Want to give derby racing a try? Contact columbus@soapboxderby.org to learn how anyone age 7-17 can take a test drive!
Columbus Soap Box Derby Media Contact: Bill Forquer, columbus@soapboxderby.org
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