March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Soap Box Derby Finals set for June at Camden

OWLS HEAD — One hundred soap box derby racers from all over Maine will compete in the Maine Soap Box Derby Finals race to be held June 16-18 in Camden.

According to race director Cathy Latham, it took just about a month to fill the quota of race cars. “The interest in this race has been phenomenal. We have cars coming from Sanford to St. Albans and all points in between,” she said. No more applications are being accepted.

“Jeff Iula, the general manager of the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, is trying to figure out how we’ve done it. According to him, this will be the largest single division race ever held by any state or local race committee,” Latham noted. She added that the interest and support shown by the midcoast community has spurred more than 60 local entrants to compete. “The midcoast area is extremely well-represented, with cars from all area towns,” Latham said.

Local support has also rallied dozens of volunteers to sign up to help with race details. Fourteen committees have been formed to handle all aspects of the race.

The racers and their parents have been invited to attend two educational programs at the Owls Head Transportation Museum on Jan. 15 and March 5. The Sunday afternoon programs will tell the young racers what to expect during Derby weekend, offer tips in assembling their car kits, and answer questions they have about the race. The session will run 1:30-3 p.m. in the museum’s auditorium. No advance reservations are needed.

The winner of the June race will represent Maine in the All-American Soap Box Derby national race to be held Aug. 5 in Akron, Ohio. Trophies and prizes will be given to other top finishers, and all racers will be recognized for their participation.

For more information about Derby weekend, call the museum at 594-4418.


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