Businesses, volunteers make the Soap Box Derby happen

Local race the only Maine derby this year; enjoy the ‘Thrill of the Hill’ — preregister by April 15; deadline May 1
By Gloria Austin  
Staff Writer
    It’s official. The Northern Maine Soap Box Derby (NMSBD) will be the only derby held in Maine this year.
    The Eastern Maine Soap Box Derby will not be held in Bangor with an overall lack of response for assistance in the organization and fundraising efforts cited as the reasons.
    But, Derby Hill in Houlton will still be open with a local race on June 19.
    “Without the help of community sponsorship, we could not have this race,” said third-year NMSBD director Dan Emerson. “I cannot say enough about our local Houlton businesses. Many of them help a youngster sponsor his car … usually about a $400-$800 investment … and then turn around and donate money to the program to help with race expenses.”
Pioneer Times file photograph
ZOO CREW – The Northern Maine Soap Box Derby race is successful because of the business sponsorships, along with committee members and community volunteers who pitch in to help with the race. A notable group that shows up each year to help at the bottom of the Hill is the Zoo Crew.
    Then, there is the NMSBD committee that works behind the scenes.
     “The committee is the core group that puts all the little details together and keeps the program flowing. Without these people, there would be no race,” said Emerson.
    It costs about $6,000 to put on the race each year. In the last few years, the NMSBD has been getting an average of 50 racers at a $30 entrance fee, so that’s only $1,500. If the same thing is happening in other areas and they don’t have community support, they can no longer afford to have a local race.
    That is what is happening in Bangor. Though it was a difficult conclusion to reach, EMSBD organizers are holding out hope for next year.
    Emerson noted a rough break down for a derby is as follows: Akron registration and insurance — about $1,500; rental of tents, arena, portable toilets — $700; trophies – $900; kids after-party food – $300; race T-shirts – $800; winner money for each division — $1,000; travel money to Akron — $1,000 and about $300to transport winning cars to Akron.
    Over the years, with business support, Houlton’s Soap Box Derby has been successful.
    “First, you credit the Harbisons, Aucoins, Cyrs and McCains for initially getting this program started and off the ground,” said Emerson. “Then, Houlton has its own hill. This is usually unheard of, as most places have to shut down a street to have a race and in some places, the “Hill” is just a slight down grade on a street.”
    Houlton’s Derby Hill is an actual engineered hill designed specifically for Soap Box Derby racing.
    “This again goes back to the people who started the program and the community,” Emerson said. “A lot of cost of the Hill was either donated or raised through the Rotary Radio Auction and other fund-raising projects.”
    When the local race started in Houlton, there were as many as 200 youngsters participating, making it the largest race in the country for a few years. Over the years, the number of participants has dwindled, but not the fun.
    “The first group of youngsters are outgrowing the sport,” said Emerson.  Secondly, the economy is tough and new mandates put forth by Akron have been reasons for dwindling numbers. “But, we are starting to see a renewed interest in the last two years, and this year looks good so far.”
    In May, a rally race will kickoff the derby season in Houlton.
    “We get racers and parents from all over New England who come to the rally races and comment on our Hill, as being one of the best ones to race on,” Emerson said. “It’s quite a compliment considering these racers travel all along the East Coast.”
    Even though the Hill is impressive, so is the town.
    “We get racers because of our area, friendly people, a beautiful town and our youngsters making outside racers feel welcome,” Emerson added.
    The Northern Maine Soap Box has two divisions — Stock and Super Stock — and no Masters Division because at least six racers are needed.
    “It may sound easy to get six racers,” said Emerson, “but it’s an older age group and some racers lose interest the older they get.”
    Cars cost more and it adds to the organization’s expense, adding insurance, trophies and another $1,000 to the division winner. With all of that said, if derby officials had the interest, they would most likely find a way to cover costs for that division.
    “We had to make this decision in January to get our race divisions registered,” said Emerson. “At that time, we only had two or three masters racers in our area.”
    Houlton’s double-elimination race is popular with drivers, as they get more trips down the Hill.
    “The whole program is truly about the kids,” said Emerson, “watching them smile all day or giving each other encouragement and high fives. The race teaches them to work together, whether they win or lose, to do so with a good attitude, and just seeing what the adults are giving to them and hopefully they give that back to their community someday.”
    And, that is what happens for each local race, each year.
    “The neat thing about our race and community is every year volunteers just show up, no calls needed, to help with the race,” Emerson said. “I bet this only happens in Houlton. It’s what makes this a great place to live and raise a family.”
    If anyone is interested in helping with the race in June, whether as the next year’s director or a committee member, call Emerson at 532-6591 or e-mail rec.programs@houlton-maine.com.
    “While I will always stay  involved in the race, I would like to see someone else step up and take over as next year’s race director,” said Emerson. “A new director may give a new outlook and ideas on what is needed to keep this program alive for years to come.”
    The Northern Maine Soap Box Derby is accepting registrations for its 14th annual Derby Race.        Registration by April 15 is only $25, after that date, it will be the regular $30 per racer.
    Deadline for registrations is May 1.
  To register, call Derby Director Dan Emerson at 532-6591 or e-mail the committee at rec.programs@houlton-maine.com.