Special guest to cheer 34 Soap Box Derby racers

YOUNGSTOWN — The 2009 annual Greater Youngstown Area Soap Box Derby will feature 34 racers and a special guest.

Derby director Andy Bowell said the first Youngstown derby, which ran in 1934, was won by John A. Fraser. To mark the 75th anniversary of the first race and the 10th anniversary of the derby returning to Youngstown, Fraser, 91, will be on hand before the race, Bowell said.

“He is the last living champion from the 1934 All-American Soap Box Derby,” he said. “He’s going to support all the kids and visit. I think that’s pretty special.”

The derby left Youngstown in 1972 due to lack of funding, but returned for its first race in nearly 30 years in 2000, Bowell said.

He said the race begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at 420 Fifth Ave. in downtown Youngstown.

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com