’34 winner to welcome derby racers

Saturday’s competition will mark the 75th anniversary of the first Youngstown event.

STAFF REPORT

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’s 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 because of a 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., near Youngstown State University’s Stambaugh Stadium. In the event of rain, they will do as many races as possible Saturday and resume at 9 a.m. Sunday, he said.

Bowell said 34 contestants registered for this year’s race — down from 45 in 2008. He said the drop was because about 20 kids pulled out of the race at the last minute.

“We lost about 20 children due to some financial issues,” he said. “And at least five aged out.”

Bowell said anyone between age 8 and 17 is eligible to participate in the derby in one of three racing divisions. Once a driver wins one division, he or she cannot compete in that division again.

The registration form lists Stock racers between age 8 and 13, Super Stock between 10 and 17 and Masters between 10 and 17. Bowell said the Stock group usually stays between age 8 and 10, and guidelines for racing in the Masters depend upon how well a driver has done in past races.

The winners of each division will qualify to race in the All-American Soap Box Derby Championships on July 25 in Akron.

For more information, contact Bowell at (330) 793-7192.