The Hopkinsville Soap Box Derby is right around the corner and the Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation shared how the community can support local racers at Thursday’s Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club meeting.
Annie Catron, from the foundation, announced that the upcoming race will be the 19th annual soap box derby in Hopkinsville. Starting in 2006, the derby originally had two divisions and it has since expanded to have four racing divisions.
The divisions are the Stock Division, the Super Stock Division, the Masters Division and the Super Kids Division which includes kids with special needs teamed up with experienced racers.
Then all of the local winners go on to compete at the Annual International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio on July 19. Along with being a fun time, Catron says the derby presents many learning opportunities for racers.
This year, Catron says they are focused on making the race a more family friendly atmosphere and the foundation invites community organizations and businesses to host games for kiddos at the derby who aren’t racing.
The derby registration deadline is Sunday and Catron says they currently have around 25 racers registered many of which are first timers.
The foundation is also hosting a fundraiser with the goal of raising $20,000 to ensure that they can continue to hosting the derby and support racers who go onto the international derby. Folks can donate directly to stipends for the racers who compete in Akron and businesses and organizations can also sponsor the local derby and have their logos on display at the race.
Those interested in donating can contact the foundation at 270-498-3431 and more information about the foundation and the derby is available hopkinsville.soapboxderby.org. The derby takes over Ruff Park on May 3.