Young racers from around the world gathered at Derby Downs on Saturday for the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships, with two Akron competitors earning Local Division world titles.
Nearly 300 racers from across the United States, Canada and Japan competed after spending months building their gravity-powered race cars and qualifying through local Soap Box Derby events.
In the Stock Division, Theodore McFall, 10, of Akron, captured the Local Division championship. The Rally Division title went to Amos Miller, 13, of Stanwood, Washington.
In the Super Stock Division, Drew Brand, 14, of Nebraska, won the Local Division championship, while Alicia Swinderman, 13, of Rittman, claimed the Rally Division title.
In the Masters Division, Dawson Crum, 20, of Akron, won the Local Division championship. Melvin Spoelstra, 13, of Iowa, earned the Rally Division title.
The annual event serves as the culmination of the Soap Box Derby season, which includes races in more than 80 cities worldwide. Local champions qualify by winning their hometown races, while Rally competitors earn championship berths by accumulating points throughout the season.
This year’s championships awarded a share of $36,000 in Bill Speeg Memorial Fund college scholarships to competitors.
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