Race Week Schedule 2025

The 2025 ISBD World Championships are here!

Below is the official 2025 World Championships Race Week Schedule. 

 

World Champs in Parade

Race Week Schedule 2025

Updated July 11, 2025

All events take place at Derby Downs unless otherwise noted.

Times, dates and events are subject to change.  

Sat., july 12
ISBD Offices
789 Derby Downs Dr., Akron 44306
  • 3-5 p.m. Champ Bags pick up at Topside (You still have to check in on Sunday at your assigned time.)
  • 3 p.m. Orientation/Q&A
  • Walk the track and Derby Downs grounds
  •  Ask questions – staff and volunteers will be on hand

SuN., july 13

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Topside, Derby Downs
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Parts Store open
  • Check-in times were assigned during online registration. If you picked up your bag on Saturday, you still need to check in at your assigned time on Sunday. 
  • Check-in and receive Champ bags (if you didn’t pick yours up on Saturday)
  • Shell re-attachment, Kingpin Drop, Triangulation, Photo Shoot and Trial Run
  • All stations are mandatory on Sunday, including photo shoot and trial run. A station card will be attached to your lanyard and badge and must be signed off by a race volunteer.
  • Please see pages 13-15 of the Race Week Info booklet for more details about everything happening on Sunday. If you have any questions, email raceprograms@soapboxderby.org.
  • Night out at Spins Bowl Akron 3-9 p.m., 2911 E. Waterloo Rd., Akron

 

Mon., July 14
Parade, Badge Trading, Opening Ceremonies, State of the Derby
and Movie Night
8 a.m.-5 p.m. – Parts Store Open
  • 11 a.m. arrive for Parade at Canal Park Stadium
  • 11 -11:45 a.m. Badge trading
  • 12 p.m. Parade starts at Canal Park Stadium
  • 12:30-2:30 p.m. Opening Ceremony at Lock 3 Park
  • 2:30-3:30 p.m. Badge Trading at Lock 3 Park
  • 4 – 5 p.m. State of the Derby Meeting at Akron-Summit County Main Library
  • 5:30-7 p.m. Movie Night at Akron-Summit County Main Library 
Tues., July 15
Rally Challenge Day and Swim Night
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Parts Store Open
  • 7:30 a.m. Rally Stock
  • 10 a.m. Rally Masters
  • 12:30 p.m. Rally Super Stock
  • 5-7:30 p.m. Family swimming at the Shaw JCC of Akron, 750 White Pond Dr, Akron 44320
  • Pool Layout: Outdoor pool with a 2-ft. shallow end, 3-5 ft. middle section, and six lanes that are 5-12 ft.
  • All youth must be accompanied by an adult
  • Cafe will be open to purchase food
  • What to Bring: Towel and bathing suit and wear your Derby shirt to enter the facility
JCC Waiver

Wed., July 16

Local Challenge Day
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Parts Store Open
  • 7:30 a.m. Local Stock
  • 9:30 a.m. Local Masters
  • 12:30 p.m. Local Super Stock
  • 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Soap Box Derby participants, friends, family can visit the Akron History Center in downtown Akron for free 
  • 4-6 p.m. Championship Derby Cars Public Open House at Topside, Derby Downs 

Thurs., july 17

All-Star and Legacy Race Day and Topside Show
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Parts Store Open
  • 8 – 9 a.m.  All-Star Alignment
  • 9:30 a.m.  All-Star Race
  • 12:30 p.m.  Legacy Check-In
  • 1 p.m. Legacy Race
  • 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Soap Box Derby participants, friends, family can visit the Akron History Center in downtown Akron for free.
  • 4-6 p.m. Topside Show – Check out everyone’s Derby cars, mini-car races, vendors, and vote who you think has the best car designs! Winners receive a trophy and their cars are featured on social media.
  • Champs, volunteers, staff, racers, families and teams allowed to vote

Fri., July 18

Super Kids Parade and Race 
World Championship Race Alignment, Wheel Selection, Weigh-In

 

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Parts Store Open
  • 8 a.m. Local and Rally Masters
  • 9 a.m. SuperKids Parade; Race Immediately Following
    Cheer on the SuperKids! Winners qualify for the World Championship race on Saturday!
  • 9:30 a.m. Local and Rally Super Stock
  • 11:15 a.m. Rally Stock
  • 12 p.m. (noon) Local Stock
  • 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Vintage Derby Car Show at St. Matthew’s Church Recreation Center, in Akron. Features displays of cars entered by former racers highlighting the evolution in the design of cars over the nine decades of racing.
  • No planned evening event for Champs
Sat., July 19
World Championships
Race Day Schedule

 

  •  6:30 a.m. Gates Open
  • 6:30 a.m. Shuttles start running; Parking only on Derby Downs Rd. Lower Lot – there is no parking at Topside. 
  • 7 a.m. Local Champs and car handlers check in at Topside at the scales
  • 7:20 a.m. Rally Champs and car handlers check in at Topside at the scales
  • 7:45 a.m. Line up by regions for parade at Topside
  • 8 a.m. Parade starts! National Anthem and Opening Ceremonies at the Bridge
  • 8:30 a.m. First Heat of the 87th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby
  • Food and drink vendors will be on site throughout the day. 
  • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pizza and popsicles for Champs at the Office Tent in the Pavilion and in the Topside Office Tent
  • If your son or daughter does not win their heat, they will be shuttled to the pavilion. Parents MUST check them out from the pavilion.
  • If your Champ finishes in the Top 2-9 of their Division, they must stay until after the final heat is complete so we can take official photos of them with their cars at the top of the track. 
  • Car Check-out – Photo ID required; starts 30 min. after final heat is complete
  • 7 p.m. Awards Ceremony at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St, Akron

Sun., july 20

8 a.m. – 12 p.m. (noon)
  • Car pick up (ID required) at Topside
  • Car crating
  • Parts store open – 8 a.m.-12 p.m. – save on shipping costs!
  • Vendors will be available for last-minute purchases – photos and apparel