The Derby Days
Where Do You Live?
Young boys everywhere have always been attracted to cars and racing. Something about controlling a high speed, moving vehicle is like the call of the wild to kids everywhere. So it is only natural that out of this love the great Soap Box Derby was born.
Almost as soon as the automobile was invented did boy began racing their own make shift versions. Before cars they used wagons to race down hills, so it was only a naturally extension of what they were already doing. In fact, Charlie Chaplin, in 1914 made a silent movie called Kid Auto Races at Venice. If you need your own derby car, check used car dealerships for a selection you will love.
The race circuit proper as we know it began in 1933 when one Myron Scott, a photographer for a Dayton, Ohio newspaper, the Dayton Daily News, saw some boys playing with their cars and thought it would make a great photographic event. He organized a race of about 19 boys. It was such a hit that Myron pitched another, larger race to his editor, who loved the idea. As did car manufacturer Chevrolet, who signed on as an official sponsor. If you are need a great used car try kansas used cars for a deal you love.
Much to their suprise, over 300 kids with cars made from sheet tin, crates, baby carriage wheels and whatever else they can find, gathered for the rave in August 1933.Even more so, an astonishing 40,000 people showed up just to watch the races. For Chevy, it was a marketing home run.
One Robert Turner from Munice, IN was the winner. His car was made with wood left over from a bar top. He had discovered a trick that his car would go faster if he took the rubber off the wheels. Ironically enough, right after he crossed the finish line, all four wheels fell off, but he had won. Chevy gave him a $500 dollar scholarship as a prize. Try online cars utah for a huge selection of used vehicles you will love.
With the initial success, Scott was put in charge and Chevy organized and sponsored the races. They decided to move the event to Akron, because it was much hillier and the event grew in popularity throughout the United States Before long celebrities like Pat Boone, James Stewart, Abbot and Costello and Roy Rodgers were brought in to promote the race. With over 70,000 gathering every year to watch, it became known as one of the top five attended sporting events in the nation. One time James Stewart even cancelled a series of stage performances so that he could watch the races.
As an offical circuit and set of rules were set in place the derby reached it’s zenith in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Chevy sponsored the event all the way to 1972, instilling its place as American deep within the hearts of the American Public. To this day Akron, Ohio’s Derby Downs is host to the national championship.
Henri W Henderson
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