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Welcome to the Bowie Lions Club Soap Box Derby

Thank you for visiting the Bowie Lions Soap Box Derby web site! We hope that you find the information presented here useful and informative.

What is the Soap Box Derby?

The Soap Box Derby is a youth racing program which has run nationally since 1934. The World Championship finals are held each August
at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. The idea of the Soap Box Derby grew out of a photographic assignment of Dayton, Ohio, newsman Myron Scott.
He covered a race of boy-built cars in his home community and was so impressed with this event that he acquired a copyright for the idea and
began development of a similar program on a national scale. The first All-American race was held in Dayton in 1934. The following year
the race was moved to Akron because of its central location and hilly terrain. In 1936, Akron civic leaders recognized the need for a permanent
track site for the youth racing classic and through the efforts of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Derby Downs became a reality.
Each year since, with the exception of the years during World War II, youngsters from throughout the United States and abroad have come to Akron
with the racers they have built and driven to victory in their home communities. The goals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since it began in 1934.
They are to teach youngsters some of the basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun.


So what is the Bowie Soap Box Derby?

Starting in 2010 the Bowie Lions will sponsor a qualifying Soap Box Derby race in Bowie. Join the Lions and other members of the Bowie community
to bring the Soap Box Derby ideals of perseverance, workmanship and competition to the youth of Bowie.

Please watch this web site for more information about the Bowie Derby when it becomes available. In the meantime you can find out more information about
the Soap Box Derby by visiting the All American Soap Box Derby web site.