NEWS

With soap box race cancelled, a tradition dies

Henry Molski
hmolski@enquirer.com
The 2015 Milford Grand Prix has been cancelled and that could spell the end for the Cincinnati Soap Box Derby.

A long-held Cincinnati tradition met a sudden and swift end this week.

The Milford Grand Prix was cancelled on Thursday, marking the conclusion of the Cincinnati Soap Box Derby, which does not plan on returning next year.

"Unfortunately, we have not done a good job recruiting new committee members or drivers," said Doug Newberry, the derby's race director. "Most of our racing events this year averaged only seven kids and that is not sustainable."

The derby organizers say that they'll need a new group or organization to take over or else gravity racing will be nothing more than a memory for local children.

The Cincinnati Soap Box Derby has a storied history in Cincinnati, dating back to 1934.

The derby originally ran almost continually through 1978, but had a more recent resurgence in 2006 when former mayor Mark Mallory revived the event.

The 2007 Cincinnati Soap Box Derby photo.

In 2009, Mallory encouraged Cincinnati's community councils to sponsor entries or to recruit local businesses, organizations, or individuals to sponsor neighborhood youth by offering a $10,000 prize to the community that won the event.

"The derby racing brings together Cincinnati neighborhoods for a great, family friendly competition that builds neighborhood pride," Mallory told The Enquirer in 2009.

Now, the derby will have to rely on a new generation to revive the sport. Organizers hope to turn over a turn-key operation to a local civic or youth development organization willing to carry on the tradition.

"We've got all the equipment needed to put on an event," Newberry said. "We just need to inject some new blood and fresh enthusiasm into the program."

Groups interested in learning more can contact Doug Newberry at the following address: info@cincysbd.com