How to Prepare for Race Week

Racers and families participating in Race Week 2024 can drop off their cars starting July 6. Please note that all cars must arrive to the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio with only four (4) screws attaching the body to the floorboard. Remaining body mounting screws are to be in a bag taped to the car’s floorboard.

Cars are inspected before Champs arrive. Inspection results are posted evening of July 15 and racers can have the chance make repairs needed on July 16

During Champ Check-in, each of the young champions receive their official racing clothing and sign the official champions banner that will hang permanently in the Derby’s Hall of Fame and Museum.

While at Derby Downs, be sure to stop by our vendor booths! Get photos taken by a professional photographer, purchase Soap Box apparel, pick up yummy food and drinks and more during the week.

When your champ isn’t racing, you can play an important role in making Race Week a success! Sign up for volunteer opportunities including roles for car handlers, wheel swaps, lunch distribution and more. For every shift you volunteer in runout you will receive an entry for a chance to win a free Soap Box Derby kit!

During Race Week, racers and families are encouraged to experience all that Greater Akron has to offer and make the most of their stay here! Plan a trip to the Akron Zoo, explore our national parks, and more – visit our Plan Your Visit page for more ideas.

Check-ins on Sunday
Tuesday Challenge
Wednesday Challenge
Thursday All-Star & Legacy
Friday SuperKids
Saturday World Championship

We invite you to join us for our Open House event to have a fun-filled time and meet many new faces! There will also be special entertainment programs available to champions, families, and friends throughout Race Week.

Prior to the All-American Championship races, all champs must perform a final alignment, make wheel selections and reweigh their cars after completion.

There will be three divisions at the All-American in the Local Championship and three divisions in the Rally Championship. On the final day of Race Week, by the afternoon’s end, six new winners emerge to wear the traditional gold jackets (local champions) and scarlet jackets (rally champions) signifying they are the world champions of the Stock, Super Stock and Masters divisions of the All-American Soap Box Derby.

All awards are presented on Saturday evening as the champions, their families and friends, Derby officials, and business and civic leaders gather to pay tribute to all the contestants in the All-American Soap Box Derby.