Soap Box Derby has later 2018 date, possible night racing - Herald-Whig

Posted: Dec. 28, 2017 8:35 am

QUINCY -- Quincy Soap Box Derby officials are moving the event back a week next year, and they are considering night racing and adding a 5K run/walk event to the race day itinerary.

Ray Wilson, beginning his sixth year as derby director, thinks the changes will further enhance what has become a Quincy summertime tradition.

"We're concentrating on strengthening our brand," Wilson said. "There's an excitement about this event that seems to grow each year, and we want to keep that momentum going as we move forward."

The 2018 Soap Box Derby will be its 14th to be run on the 18th Street hill near Bob Mays Park. The Optimist Club, which uses the event to raise funds for its program to assist families who have children battling cancer, will again be the primary derby sponsor. Major assistance will again be provided by a number of local organizations and businesses, headed by Quincy Medical Group and Home Depot.

The 2018 race is scheduled for June 15 and 16, a week later than its traditional slot on the second weekend in June.

"We have moved our race back so it will not be the same weekend as the return of the Gran Prix of Karting in South Park," Wilson said. "We realize a lot of people might like to see both, and it was easiest for us to move the derby back one weekend."

Wilson said the Optimist Club -- formerly the Breakfast Optimist Club -- is looking at the logistics of adding night racing as part of the derby, most likely on the Friday night of its usual Friday-Saturday package of Super Kids, Stock and Super Stock events.

"I'm not sure if we can make it work for this year or not, but we definitely want it to be part of the derby's future," Wilson said.

He said officials also are trying to work out the kinks of a 5K event for all ages that would include a run, walk and some sort of kids specialty.

"We're shooting to have it this year, if everything goes well," he said.

Wilson said derby officials also have acquired six more cars that will allow the event to grow even larger.

The 2017 derby drew 157 entries, one shy of the 2016 record of 158, further cementing the Quincy race as the nation's largest independent Soap Box Derby.

Quincy drivers have won the most division championships (17), followed by Danville, Iowa (2). Drivers from Camp Point, Loraine, Aledo, Hull, Kinderhook Hannibal, Mo., and Ewing, Mo., all have one title.

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