Soap Box Derby considers wind, solar vehicles

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — The All-American Soap Box Derby is considering showcasing other types of “green” power besides the gravity that has always carried the cars to the finish line.

Officials say the long-running race here needs to broaden its appeal as it struggles to find funding and continue a tradition going back to the 1930s.

Derby CEO Jim Huntsman says ideas in the planning stages include expanding the competition to include older students in vehicles using wind and solar power.

Changes may not be ready in time for next year’s season. But Huntsman says some sort of overhaul will have to come because the derby has lost money in two out of the last five years and failed to draw a corporate sponsor in the last three seasons.