MANSFIELD — The North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby, one of Mansfield’s longest running traditions, returns to the North Main Street hill downtown on Saturday, June 18.
This annual gravity race starts near Relax, It’s Just Coffee and finishes close to the Bissman building — a 750-foot distance. It is open to youngsters between the ages of 7 and 18 (depending on division) who live in the following counties: Richland, Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion and Morrow.
Of the 31 racers who’ve signed up to compete this year, there are 15 racers in the stock division and 16 in the super stock division.
“We have a lot of nice, new families involved,” said Ruth Kinsey, treasurer for the North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby.
According to Kinsey, 11 of the 31 participants are first-time racers.
Main Street will close at 6 a.m. so officials have time to prepare the track. Racing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. It’s hard to say when exactly the event will finish, but Kinsey said the hope is to be done no later than 5 p.m.
“It depends on how the day goes and the weather,” she said.
The champion of each division represents the North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby at the world championship All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron.
“It’s a great family day,” Kinsey said of the event. “We’ve had families that have come back for years and years.”
For more information, visit the North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby website or Facebook page.
