September 26, 2007, Sparta, Ky -- This weekend, Kentucky Speedway will welcome a new racing series to the Sparta, Ky loacation. The Soap Box Derby will hold an inaugural rally of gravity-powered race cars. Organized by both the Cincinnati and Louisville Soap Box Derby organizations, racers, ages eight through 17, will compete in hand-built cars down a 1/5 mile stretch of Jerry Carroll Blvd. Teams are expected from a six-state area for the event.
“I think it’s great that we could host this event.” said Mark Cassis, vice-president and general manager of the Kentucky Speedway. “The Speedway supports the efforts of the Soap Box Derby.” Cassis added that Speedway will also be hosting the Boy Scouts this weekend in a separate event, “which ties together nicely.”
Racing will take place on both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., with two events each day. Admission is free to come and watch. “Bring a lawn chair and a cooler,” advises Doug Newberry, co-director of the event.
Rent-A-SoapBox
If you are not content to sit around and watch, Newberry said there are three cars in need of drivers. The cars will be rented out to drivers who meet age qualifications, reserve the car and pay the entry fee of $35 per race. “It’s a great way to learn what Derby racing is all about.” To reserve a car for any of the races, contact the Soap Box Derby, info@cincysbd.com or call 513-885-1373 before Friday night.
High speed fun
This is a new venue for the Soap Box Derby and it may prove to be a favorite destination for Derby racers. “I love this track,” said Nick Eaton, 2007 World Rally Champ runner-up, “It’s fast.” Eaton was doing some speed tests on the course last weekend. “Derby drivers will really like racing here because of the speed.”
How fast is ‘fast’? Eaton’s Super Stock racer was hovering around the 30 miles per hour mark on Saturday. That’s the top speed recommended by the All-American, the sanctioning body for the Soap Box Derby. “The Master’s cars will do aboiut 5 miles per hour faster than that,” said Chris Eaton, co-race director from Louisville. “We may need to shorten the course a little bit to keep the speeds safe.”
“We will be putting a heavy emphasis on safety this weekend,” added Newberry. “These cars will be reaching some high speeds so it will be fun to watch and compete, but the kids and the parents need to realize that this can be a dangerous sport if the they don’t respect the safety rules.”
If You Go
What: The Kentucky Speedway Rally
When: Saturday and Sunday, Sept 29 and 30
Check-in begins 7 a.m.
Racing (2 races) from 9 a.m. to approx. 6 p.m
Where: Jerry Carroll Blvd
Sparta, Ky
use Speedway entrance #1 off Hwy 35
Admission: Free for spectators
$35 to rent a car and race
must reserve in advance and
need to be checked-in before race begins
(bring lawn chair and cooler)
Benefitting: Proceeds from event benefit the
Cincinnati and Louisville Soap Box Derby organizations
Info: www.cincinnatisoapboxderby.com
www.louisvillesoapboxderby.com
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