AASBD needs restructured

This article was in the Buchtelite Akron U's newspaper

February 27, 2007 Issue

Down times at Derby Downs

Soap Box looks to UA for help

Economic struggles leave derby staff pleading with Akron

Andrew Harding waves the checkered flag for a heat at the 69th Annual
All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron in July. The derby saw record low
spectator crowds last year. (PICTURE CAPTION)

Mike Hixenbaugh
News Editor
mhixenbaugh@buchtelite.com

For the better part of the last century, it has drawn children from around
the world with its promise of fierce competition. In the golden years,
crowds of more than 50,000 gathered around the narrow incline in South Akron
for a chance to watch the spectacle.

After a few short years, it became a staple of the town, a true Akron
tradition.

Now, as it approaches its 70th championship race, the All-American Soap Box
Derby may be running out of track.

Gone are the monumental crowds that characterized the derby in the 1950s.
Long forgotten are the great local rubber companies and the corporate
sponsors they drew to the event. Now, amid a struggling national economy,
the derby has come across financial difficulties.

Jim Huntsman, CEO and president of the Soap Box Derby hopes to partner with
the University of Akron and other community leaders to eradicate the race's
problems.

Despite the struggles, one truth remains, according to Huntsman: The
All-American Soap Box Derby is the world's premier youth sporting event, and
Akron is its home.

The CEO hopes to use that truth to revive the race. According to Huntsman,
the "derby renaissance" will begin in Akron.

"There's been some disconnect between the derby and the Akron community for
the past couple decades," Huntsman said. "Now, more than ever, we need the
community to get back involved. In my view, they have ownership rights. It's
time for the Akron community to stake its claim."

According to Huntsman, Mayor Don Plusquellic is aware of the derby's plight.
In a recent meeting, Plusquellic pledged his support to the derby. Huntsman
said he is willing to work with anybody if it helps restore the race to its
original glory. He's already made plans to partner with UA and several local
businesses to achieve the goal.

"We're in a very difficult financial situation right now. We're in a hole
and we're trying to dig out of it," Huntsman said. "There have been tough
times before, but this has been the most difficult situation that the derby
has ever seen."

While Huntsman has yet to formally meet with UA administration, he plans to
soon.

"We bring more than 500 families to the Akron area. I think it will be nice
for the university to host some campus tours," Huntsman said. "We offer a
huge group of captive 16 to 17-year-old kids. A partnership would be more
for the university's benefit than for ours - unless, of course, UA is
interested in sponsoring us in some way."

Each year, a number of derby contestants stay in dorms on campus. Huntsman,
who graduated from UA in 1982, hopes to increase that percentage.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase a great part of this city,"
Huntsman said. "That's what the derby is all about. I just want to help the
community stake its claim."

Staking a claim in the derby might not be a bad move for the Greater Akron
area, particularly from a financial standpoint. According to the
Akron-Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau, the race brings roughly $3.7
million to Akron each year during the week of competition. That much money
in a single week is an economic booster for a city like Akron, Huntsman
said.

"And it's not just the day of the race that counts," he said. "Every racer
has to purchase their kits from Akron - from us. Everything is shipped from
the top of the hill, and we try to use as many vendors from Summit County as
possible."

Money and attention are not the only perks the derby has brought to Akron.
More than 500 racers are expected to compete at Derby Downs this July - the
most racers in the event's history.

Although the derby lacks huge spectator crowds and corporate sponsorships,
the great gravity race still appeals to children, nationally and
internationally. That's why Huntsman is confident the derby will bounce
back.

"We're going to pick up and start climbing back up the hill. Nothing will
happen to us, the derby's not going anywhere. I'm committed to that," he
said. "I've made a personal commitment to keep it going for another 70
years. We'll do whatever it takes to survive, but we're going to need
Akron's support."

Copyright © 2004-2007 The Buchtelite. All Rights Reserved.

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I know the ceo of the AASBD,

they were up to recently talking about trying to get the boy scouts / Cub Scouts involved.

What it sounded like to me, was they were hoping a new pre stock class would come about for younger children.

To gain interest into Soap Box Derby.

But I also gathered that the Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts were not really interested. But to leave races up to the local packs and councils.

I am refering to the Cubmobile, that many local Cub Scout packs hold each year.

The AASBD was hoping to have some type of connection there.

But it did not work out.

Apparently they feel the over all numbers are done for AASBD events, not so much just looking at Akron. But the overall picture of events through the usa.

I personnally feel it comes down to money, perhaps they are not getting enough fund put back into AASBD.

But they spend alot for the Akron nationals on TV and from what I heard another $20,000 in costs for last years Announcer Jimmy Johnson.

I know I feel they actually lack in merchandise options for people. I feel alot more revenue could be pulled in with alot more options in this area.

why not colored wheels, more color options for the stock classs, more shirts, jackets,all sorts of items could be added.

Yet, I don't know how they can compare to the 50's, as saying numbers are down.

There is a much more diversified field of events for children to be in these days.

So spectators have much more to choose from to go watch.

I also feel, there our alot more Rally races held through out the us, then AASBD events.

Perhaps they should find ways to encourage more local towns to hold a AASBD event.

Sponsorship is down all over, times are tuff in recent years. Even the local we attend lost a few sponsors this year.

Locally in our area, also groups are having a hard time to find help and sponsors for local events.

When the economy is not doing so well, it has a trickle effect on everything. And the price of gas right now dips into everything aswell.

Sporty

A good portion of the rallies being held are AASBD events. I don't know of any place that holds rallies that does not have an AA local race. Sure they always want more local races but you can't say that there is opportunity to turn rally cities into local cities as local cities that have the ability to hold rallies hold them on 2-3 or even more weekends each year at two or more races per weekend. That means one city is capable of holding over 4 rallies to the one local they can hold, although I guess some break their local in two when they have enough cars but i don't think there are all that many that have the car count to do that.

As far as the spectators at the big race go, I guess no one wants to watch a ton of cars that all look exactly the same race each other. By which I mean in the 50's all the cars were RADICALLY different and showed true creativity. Which is going to bring more people out, the race with a bunch of cars that showcase the ingenuity of America's youth, or the race between a bunch of models that kids screw together?