Beacon Journal photographer experiences thrill of Soap Box Derby race

Alisson Toro-Lagos, Akron Beacon JournalThu, Jul 16, 2026·3 min read

This story has been updated with Friday's cancellations.

As nearly 300 youth racers continue their journey at the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby, a Beacon Journal photographer joined in on the fun.

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"That was amazing, it was like nothing else I've experienced," said staff photographer Andrew Dolph.

It was Dolph's first time going down the 989.4-foot hill. He raced with veteran drivers Roger Van Waart and Jeff Iula.

Iula is known as "Mr. Derby" and is the former general manager of the All-American Soap Box Derby. Van Waart raced in the 1950s and ’60s and his granddaughter, Kelsey Van Waart of Gretna, Nebraska, is a derby veteran who serves as an ambassador for the Soap Box Derby.

Dolph's main concern was the steering wheel, but he soon realized that it was easy to manage.

"Steering isn't too bad, it's literally this little wire frame wheel," he said.

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Although Dolph did not win and the veterans hashed it out, he said he would want to race again.

The Derby Downs track was originally a 1,150-foot hill, but because of evolving car designs and safety reasons it was shortened.

The derby started on July 12 and will end on July 18, when a champion is crowned.

The who, what and wheres of the Soap Box Derby

The derby is a nonprofit youth education and leadership development organization whose mission is to inspire the next generation of champions, to bring STEM education out of the classroom, to promote the derby experience and to cultivate lifelong skills and character.

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Racers came in from throughout the United States, as well as Canada and Japan. They are competing for a share of $36,000 in Bill Speeg Memorial Fund college scholarships.

Participants range in age from 7 to 20. They earned the right to compete in the world championships by winning local Soap Box Derby races in their hometowns or by accumulating points in a series of rally competitions held in different cities since last fall.

More: All-American Soap Box Derby cancels Friday events because of smoke

Check before you go out this week. Events at Derby Downs on Friday, July 17, have been canceled because of poor air quality in the region. Derby officials announced the National Super Kids Classic and alignment and wheel selection activities would not take place Friday.

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Here is the schedule so far:

• There will be a Vintage Derby Car Show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 16 at St. Matthew Church's recreation center at 2580 Berne St. in Akron. A board member of the North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby said the show will move inside because of the air quality advisory.

• For the championship on July 18 there will be a track parade and opening ceremonies kicking off at 8 a.m.

• Championship heats will start around 2 p.m. Saturday with an award ceremony at the Akron Civic Theatre at 7 p.m.

Race day tickets are available in advance for $10 at eventbrite.com.

Check facebook.com/soapboxderby.org to see if events on July 18 will go on as scheduled.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Beacon Journal photographer experiences thrill of Soap Box Derby race

Story byAkron Beacon Journal