Racers at the 2024 edition of the International Soap Box Derby World Championships may journey down the hill solo, but they don’t make it to the top alone.
On Wednesday, one student from Chicago competed in Akron for the first time thanks to the help of her after-school program. Three teens rekindled an unlikely friendship with derby opponents. And a veteran racing family valued competing together more than they celebrated medals.
All 989 feet of the Derby Downs track brought racers closer together.
“They’ve become like a part of my family,” said 17-year-old Kylee Kirk, who competed earlier this week in the Rally SuperStock Challenge.
Indiana family’s tradition: ‘Something we can all build as a family’
They wore matching tan t-shirts and waved customized green cowbells to cheer on their racer, Conner. Even one of the family’s white poodle mixes made the five-hour trip from Valparaiso, Ind.
The family’s bright-red tent was festooned with banners, flags, inflatables, a customized stoplight and a traffic cone for other attendees to sign. Fans grabbed their own green bells from a table and cheered for Conner.
The Donahues’ enthusiasm stemmed from experience. Family members, after all, are Soapbox Derby veterans: this year marks their third trip to the Akron championships and all three children — Conner, Audrey and Valerie — have raced locally since they were young.
Members of the Donahue family, standing halfway down the track, depicted the epitome of derby spirit.
For the past two years, the family traveled to Ohio to cheer for Audrey. This year, Conner took the wheel.
But family members treasure racing experiences above the medals they may win. Ron Donahue, Conner’s father, said shared passion has brought them closer together in today’s technology-focused world.
“This is something we can all build as a family,” he explained. “We all put it together and practice at home. It’s a good way to connect that’s not video games and iPads … this is actually a hands-on experience.”
Chicago native racing for fun, and the wins
Other derby riders thrive in a racing community supported by mentors and educators.
Jai’La Ferguson, a 10-year-old Chicago native, started racing soapbox cars in an after-school program when she was six. This year, her hard work and fiery-red car finally earned her a spot at the Akron derby.
At the top of the hill, Ferguson proudly showed off her car, local medal and Super Stock t-shirt — symbols of her passion for racing. When asked what she enjoyed about the sport, she quickly replied.
“Winning.”
Jamar Stuckey, Ferguson’s junior leader at Off The Street Club in Chicago, smiled at her excitement as they waited for the race to begin.
“My favorite part of the derby is seeing that [the kids] are having fun,” Stuckey said.
“That they’re doing something great and not just in Chicago doing nothing.”
A lasting friendship at Akron’s Derby Downs
Some racers, especially the ones who have grown up on the derby track, embrace community among competitors.
One such trio of teens sat Wednesday on the asphalt at the top of the hill, chatting as they waited for races to begin.
Kylee Kirk, Lydia Marthey and Lane Schlafke ranged in age from 14 to 17. They hailed from different cities across Ohio and Kentucky. Each started racing for different reasons: Marthey spotted her first soapbox car at a local fair, Kirk’s father encouraged her to compete and Schlafke was inspired to follow in his brother’s racing pedals.
Despite their differences, they quickly formed a bond after meeting at last year’s derby. The three teens have remained in touch.
“We’re all just one big family,” Schlafke said. “We help each other if it’s derby or if it’s not derby.”
They find that after dedicating so much time to racing and perfecting their cars, they share a common, uniting passion.
“Racing is a big part of my life,” Marthey said. “But my favorite part is meeting everyone and making memories.”