Name/Title
Print, PhotographicEntry/Object ID
2007.25.24Description
Reflective of the popularity of the National Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, an aerial photo of the race shows the large crowds that gathered in 1966 for the event that has been held every July since 1934. In the soap box derby's heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, famous TV and movie celebrities would come to the national championship race and as many as 70,000 people came to watch boys ages 11 to 15 race. But attendance dropped to 10,000 by 2015. Racing down this slope that was 1,150-foot, three lanes and an asphalt race track, kids drive their gravity powered soap box derby cars. The fastest derby car to race at nationals was clocked at 53 mph in 1977. This race track and stands at Akron were built in 1936. David Krussow, who won the national championship in 1966, donated the photo.Lexicon
Search Terms
Soap Box Derby, RecreationalRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Krussow, DavidRelated Events
Event
1966 National Soap Box Derby Championships
