The only problem I see with using the Akron hill is shipping the cars in. If someone shipped their car it could arrive early during the AA week. You could arrange for an off site receiving or storage area. It would be great to take two weeks off from work and make both races with out having to travel between the races.

Great Points Jerry! I prefer the NDR. As a placer in both Akron( in 1982), And the NDR ( #3 1986 & #6 1987). The NDR is truely the cream of the crop. Hope to see everyone there soon!!!!!!

The Professor

Fritz: Shipping cars in for Nationals is really not that big of a deal. I helped organize Salem's NDR Nationals event in 2001. Using a friend of a friend, we arranged for a local company to accept and store crates and then loaded them on my Dad's flatbed for transport to the track at the appropriate time. Even let Hal babysit his cars during the trip!

True, we had only a handful of cars that were shipped and the numbers for Akron would likely be huge. But I would guess you would also see a lot of true derby nuts rallying in the AA and thus would be there already. We would have been in that group to be sure.

Jerry - you are right on. There are ways to economize, the AA is a "lottery" in many respects (winners for the most part still need a good car and must drive well), and the NDR Nationals is the true race. Our daughters were thrilled, and honored, to race in Akron. But after a couple of trips the cost of those lottery tickets became too high and though the girls enjoyed the trip, they hated racing in an event where skill and experience can play such a little part compared to the luck of the wheels, lanes, and draw.

The real race is in Saginaw this year, just as it was in 2005. Our 2nd (to your Hillary) and 6th place that year mean so much to us still becasue it was in a group of incredibly accomplished racers and families, on a great hill, in a fair race format. Since then, the appeal of the AA just hasn't been there.

So, Sporty, congratualtions to your daughter for qualifying. Enjoy the trip, take it for what it is, and be thankful you aren't heading there from the West Coast where you have to add another $1,000 to $1,500 to your budget. But in 2009, do yourself a favor and head to the NDR Nationals. You will not regret it.

David Gibson

I've always said I wish every child that raced could experience the thill of being a "CHAMP" and going to Akron. It's something I know I never forgot nor have my kids. It is special now and has been for 71 years. As a family we also raced at the NDR and certainly enjoyed that as well.

I think David and Jerry both explained things about as well as anybody can. There is certainly a place for both the NDR and the AA. Each has something to offer to the Derby racing World.

They key focus we all must remember is the quality time you get to spend with your kids. Derby racing - NDR or AA requires spending time (quality time) with our kids. We're not talking about a couple hours here or there but a considrable amount of time. That's what makes the program. I always love the comment you often times hear at a mall show where you are trying to attract new people. That looks like it takes alot of time. - My response is - "You are exactly right. That is the real benefit of getting involved with Soap Box Derby is you do spend time together and it's not watching TV. It's hands on and communicating with each other in ways you never thought of before."

Best of Luck at the AA for this years "CHAMPS" and those who have not tried the NDR - Give it a look. You'll not be disappointed if you like racing.

Have a great day.

Roger Van Waart

you speak of true derby nuts in the A/A where are they?

keep the Nationals moving around !

the true racers are NDR racers !

the only NDR rally in ohio is cleveland!

no NDR race in Indiana this year with 2 permanent tracks?

virgina brags about having the largest local All American race when are they going to hold a NDR rally ?

I would love to go to florida for a national race we could race there when its snowing up here in the frozen tundra



the problem I see for the NDR Nationals is the lack of permanent tracks or local clubs having the balls to pull of the event,my hat is off to Vaughn

I get the feeling that when I hear of a NDR race being held in Akron it will be followed with the words...


ALL PIGS ARE SADDLED AND READY TO FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!


thats my 2 cents worth for the day see ya in saginaw

jim

scoutdad.

You bring up some good thoughts and questions.

There are a couple that I would like to expand or comment on.

1. "you speak of true derby nuts in the A/A where are they? "
I do believe that accross the country we have hundreds of people running local races trying to make the community they live in a better place by offering a Soap Box Derby program. Keep in mind there are only 10 Paid staff members (I believe) in the entire program. So with out Derby nut's / volunteers the program would not be around for 71 years. Many people have helped for decades. That's not to say we don't need new Nuts to help run the show because with any healthy organization you need new blood to sustain the program and tweak it as needed. Just look at your own local. The best locals have a good mix of new and old worker bees. You must pay it forward. People need to get involved and help with out question. That will never change.

2. "the problem I see for the NDR Nationals is the lack of permanent tracks or local clubs having the balls to pull of the event,my hat is off to Vaughn"
First of all I do tip my hat to any race city such as Saginaw that is willing to host the NDR Nationals. I can assure you there's alot that goes into holding a quality national event that we look forward to. For a local organization to assume the responsibility of hosting the NDR it takes more than what you described. You can not do it on guts alone. Most important iin my estimation is a good local organization that works well together. Very critical. Other things that come to mind are. A quality facilty that includes - big enough pit and storage area, good racing surface, good ramp situation, economical motels, timing systems, financially sound local, location as it relates to the NDR membership etc. Certain regions are not active in the NDR and should be. You also need to be careful as a host city not to burn out your worker bees. Keep in mind they are holding multiple rallies along with an AA local race etc. You can burn them out even with a solid group. That's the last thing you want to happen as a local race city. If any of the areas I mentioned are suspect for your race city than you may be more than hesitant to offer?
Having said all that there appears to be potential race cities that we need to generate more interst from for the NDR and potential sites. There certainly can be some upsides if you are willing to Host the Nationals. There is normally some added interest in your local racers to get involved with Derby on a higher level. You might develop some Derby nuts of your own as a result. It will put your race city on the map for ever.

Best of luck.

Roger Van Waart

champ you got me

with all the derby nuts in the a/a why dont they race NDR

I was just at the supernova 30 cars
if akron held a A/A rally the same weekennd their would be at least 50 cars

I seems a whole lot of people are short sighted and only race in the all american
and then put their car away for a year

and NO the if the all american champ has not raced NDR they dont qualify
to run the nationals

they have to race in and pay up

I plan to race all american rallys in 2008 2009 and will still hit as many NDR rallys as possible

and you are right there is a shortage of people right now and we do not want to burn out workers

I still want to see more NDR rallys in ohio why can akron run a NDR rally

we need more than 2 tracks in my region

monster mountain is a 12 hour drive along with des moine

Scoutdad,

I agree - there should be more people racing in the NDR. I think part of it has to simply do with educating the people. They simply don't have an understanding of the program in many areas. I'm a person that believes in both the NDR and AA. There is really a place for both and I would love to see them work closely together. Good people in both organizations.


I think you may have one thing confused regarding Local AA champs. They do automatically qualify along the 2nd place cars for the nationals NDR race. All they need to do is become an NDR family members and pay the registration for the nationals. The NDR welcomes them to attend with the intent of gaining more membership and good racing. Granted they want people to rally in the NDR races and support the program that way. However like you mentioned there are many areas accross the country that only run AA rallies and can be very difficult for people to get the normal amount of rallies needed. The NDR will review special needs / requests on an individual basis to determine if they can waive the requirements. Again that is not the norm but they want people to come and enjoy racing just like the AA. People who like derby racing I'd encourage to race both.

Have a great day.

Roger Van Waart

all american winners should have to race their way in, if they are that good it shouldnt be a problem


its not fair to the kids who are top in points in national and region
that worked for it


remember this is the real race not the wheel race

Also dont forget 1st timers to the NDR can also participate in the Nationals. If you have never raced in the Nationals before, you qualify to race in the Nationals. You still have to race your way in to be a Finalist though or as they say in NDR talk You are in the Barn.

Just to be clear, first timers and 1st, 2nd place AA local winners qualify for the NDR Nationals but they are not prequalified finalist.

All of them would have to race during the week and earn the title of finalist.

And the best of luck to all of them.

This was about the cost of AA race week...........

Can't belive no one included the two dollar entry fee to the seed spitting contest!
Not sure if that is still on. The hall would be wise to continue it.

Later
4C's

What happened to Don’s farting contest? Is anyone carrying on the torch?

I only went to that my first year (I didn't compete!) Everyone needs to go at least once! It is not to be missed for pure... weirdness.

Farting contest? The politically correct term is "Crepitation Contest"
Yes, it is going strong.
my son Sean was the 2004 champion and my son Dan was the 2005 champion! Their mother is soooo proud of them.