AUGUST 19

On this date in 1934, the first All-American Soap Box Derby took place in Dayton, Ohio.  The following year the race was moved to Akron where it remains today.

You can't imagine what a big deal this race was in the 1950's.  The Cincinnati area elimination heats were run in Eden park.  All major cities had eliminations with the local champs going to the big race in Akron.  The race was sponsored by Chevrolet.  To enter, you had to go to a Chevy dealer and register. With your entrance fee, you were given a steering wheel with shaft and four wheels with axles.

My neighbors, the Werlings, built cars for several years.  That family had five boys; one my age and three older.  The father was a roofer who had a large work garage behind the house.  I spent many days watching them build the cars and wishing I could do it too.

The base of the car was a wood frame while the body was formed by chicken wire.  Layer upon layer of papier-mache was applied and then painted to a glossy finish.  It looked magnificent.

They took me along to see the races in Eden Park on several occasions.   A wooden ramp about four feet high which held three cars was the starting point.  White lines were painted on the road from the ramp to the finish line.  Throngs of people lined the race and cheered for their favorites.  An announcer with a loud speaker gave the names of the drivers and the winners. Two racers were eliminated in each race.  My neighbors won several heats but never made it to Akron.

Here is a typical racer like the ones they built.  Notice the bricks inside the car.  Each car had to be weighed before each race to verify it was in limits. Everyone wanted to get it as heavy as possible so it would speed down the ramp.


Summer fun in the 1950's.
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