Countless drivers have made their way down Derby Hill and in its inaugural stage on Drake’s Hill, each with a secret hope that they would be crowned champion.
The three most critical aspects of Soap Box Derby racing are to have drivers, cars and volunteers.
Cars are sponsored by area businesses and a committee of volunteers works year round to make sure the race goes off without a hitch.
Sponsors and volunteers are always needed and welcomed.
Now, the drivers. They love the camaraderie of the competition.
But, that competitive nature is embedded in sportsmanship.
Each racer who sits atop of Derby Hill in their derby car should become familiar with the history enveloping this race.
Without predecessors paving the way, today’s race may not be as successful, nor would they enjoy the “Thrill of the Hill.”
In 1966, a legacy of Houlton racers was born.
The forerunner of Houlton derby racers was Wayne Miller for whom a highly-coveted sportsmanship award is given annually.
The Northern Maine Soap Box Derby Race is also dedicated to his memory and his dream.
Never once from the time he built his racer, did the 11-year-old Miller ever doubt that he would be a winner.
Miller’s racer was built to specifications supplied by the sponsors, with total weight of the racer and driver not to exceed 250 pounds. Miller and his racer tipped the scales at 245 pounds.
His homemade gravity-run car rolled down the 1,200-foot Brewer course five times.
Miller was clocked between 30 seconds to 30.3, with his winning time 30.1.
Capturing the title, Miller earned a wall plaque, a $500 savings bond and of course, a trip to the All-American Race in Akron, Ohio.
Miller died in a construction accident when he was young.
Then, 30 years after Miller’s feat, a group in Houlton opened its first-ever Soap Box Derby on Drake’s Hill.
Haybales were set alongside the roadway, a starting gate was crafted and sponsors supported the youth event, which drew 101 drivers from Northern Maine.
In the first few years of the race, drivers —and let’s face it, organizers and volunteers — may not have been as versed on the rules and regulations of Soap Box Derby as their successors.
The thousands of hours spent building and holding on to this tradition are rooted in commitment.
In 1999, the Derby Hill in Community Park was specifically engineered for Soap Box Derby racing and in June of 2000, 188 drivers christened the new hill.
The Houlton Soap Box Derby was ranked as the largest race in the country for five years in a row and recognized by the All American headquarters in Akron Ohio. During one of those years, more than 200 racers competed.
Though the number of racers are dwindling, come race day, the energy and enthusiasm is still the same as the first race held in 1996.
Quick facts:
The first-time Northern Maine Soap Box Derby winner was Brandon Carmichael, son of Marie and Kevin Carmichael.
In 2000, Ryan and Robbie Aucoin were the first set of brothers to come in first and second in Maine history since 1953 when the Anderson brothers achieved the same feat. The Andersons were only the second set in the world.
The Northern Maine Soap Box Derby introduced the first handicapped accessible cars in 2001.
