Downtown Akron was full of racers and families Monday as a parade of derby champions kicked off the 79th running of the All-American Soap Box Derby week.
Champions from New York to Japan have arrived with hopes of taking home the title of best derby racer in the world in Saturday’s head-to-head race.
Before the competition starts, though, the kids will participate in derby activities throughout the week. Kicking off the activities were the parade and opening ceremonies at Lock 3 Park.
All of the week’s 456 racers marched through Main Street escorted by the Akron police, waving proudly at parents who cheered their names. Dozens of classic cars and Corvettes trailed the guests of honor.
The parade ended at Lock 3, where Joe Mazur, the president and CEO of the All-American Soap Box Derby, estimated a crowd of 2,000 gathered to cheer on the kids from around the world.
“You’re all champs, and you should be very proud of your accomplishments,” Mazur said in his opening remarks.
Derby representatives presented awards to youth volunteers and then announced three new inductees into the Derby Hall of Fame. Each champion was then called out one-by-one onstage, where they got the chance to toss derby trinkets to the crowd.
“They feel like rock stars on that stage,” Mazur said. “That amphitheater is kind of like one-of-a-kind in the country. I’m telling you, it looks so cool in that space.”
Many of the kids were no strangers to the stage. Jake Poggi, an 11-year-old from Poulsbo, Wash., is here for his fourth year. He said he placed seventh in the world last year, and this year, he’s aiming for even higher.
“I like the speed and that it’s a competition almost anyone can do,” Jake said.
This is also the fourth year in Akron for Luke Morris, 11, of Ruckersville, Va., but for his sister Sophie, 8, the experience is brand new.
“I’m looking forward to the big race,” Sophie said.
Most kids were anticipating the race at the end of the week and socializing with friends they’ve made over the years, but the week’s agenda is also packed with specialized races and activities.
The DQ Rally Challenge, Subway Challenge and international races will be held Tuesday. Starting this year, Mazur has randomly picked three racers from the United States to compete in the international races.
Also relatively new is the Build and Battle competition, in which one racer from each of the 13 regions is randomly selected to build a car in two hours and then race it. That competition, in its third year, will take place Thursday along with the Hall of Fame and Museum open house.
“We wanted these kids to come out and do more fun things together. It’s all about making this week in Akron the best week we possibly can,” Mazur said. “Those kids deserve something like that.”
Each racer earned her or his way to the international competition through performances in local races. There will be a first, second and third-place winner in each of the six racing divisions.
The first-place winners will take home a $3,000 scholarship; those in second-place, $2,000; and those in third place, $1,000.
For a full schedule of the week’s events, visit http://aasbd.soapboxderby.org/race-week/race-week-schedule.aspx.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @Theresa_Cottom.