The 15th annual 2024 High Bridge Soap Box Derby was Saturday, June 1, 2024.
We’re hoping for a 2025 edition!
A beautiful day for a classic event!
As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stories and receive photos from our internet community. We will continue to grow this piece as information becomes available. If you have a comment or photo, feel free to post it at the bottom of this page or drop us a note.
Visions of custom-made and painted cars with young kids bearing helmets and a chance at fame leveraging gravity in a non-motorized homemade vehicle. It’s as American as can be, and it’s called the soap box derby. The Mr. Local History Project looks back at this iconic hobby and classic American event.
Today, the All-American Soap Box Derby is a youth gravity racing program that has run nationally since 1934. The program is administered by the International Soap Box Derby, Inc., an Akron, Ohio-based nonprofit organization. Children between the ages of 7 and 20 are eligible to race in the program. Kids, along with a parent, mentor, etc., build a car using a specially designed kit purchased from the ISBD.
Races are held each year in officially sanctioned Soap Box Derby locations throughout the United States and a few foreign countries. The racing season culminates at the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship Race, held each July at the world-famous Derby Downs Track in Akron, Ohio.
History
Since the Soap Box Derby got its start in the depths of the Great Depression, the story of Robert’s racer and its disappointing round trip to Ohio has been repeated thousands of times. In 1933, a photographer named Myron Scott photographed three boys, each sitting in a crate-like frame fixed to baby-buggy wheels, rolling down a bumpy hill in Dayton. The name “Soapbox” originated because these little human-powered machines were also made from wooden soap crates and roller-skate wheels.
The same photographer invited the boys to return a week later and bring their friends for a bigger race. Nineteen racers came. A considerable crowd gathered. One of the contestants was a local 12-year-old named Bob Gravett, who had painted the number 7 on his car. It was the easiest number to draw, he explained. An image of Old No. 7 has been used ever since on the official Soap Box Derby logo. As they say, the rest is history.
Early Racing in New Jersey’s Somerset Hills
The Soap Box Derby was famous back in 1942, as we learned of the annual June Fair at St. Bernards, which held a race early in June at the Bernardsville, New Jersey, fairgrounds at S. Bernards Church on Claremont Road. The entry list for 1942 for the Soap Box Derby included Blair Jerolaman and Freddy Anderson. Lester Chan, Eddie and Tommy Heehan, Laura Mae Compton. Emil Menies and Dick Liddy, with the top three willing $5.00, $3.00 and $1.50 in defense stamps, respectively.
The Inaugural Somerset Hills Derby – 1959
The Bernardsville Jaycees
From 1959 through the early 1960s, the Somerset Hills Jaycees were the main sponsor, along with Chevrolet Dealers and the Bernardsville News, of the biggest soapbox event in New Jersey. The Somerset Hills soap box derby winner on June 14, 1959, was Bryan Arndt of Bernardsville, New Jersey, who then represented New Jersey at the National All-American Soap Box Derby race in Akron, Ohio, in August. A group of forty parents and boys participated in the inaugural event. The race would run from the old flag pole circle by Bill’s TV down Mine Brook Road (Route 202) to the Bernards Inn.
The fastest course run would be 23 seconds.
Somerset Hills Jaycee-Chevrolet Soap Box Derby
1959 Entrants qualifications – bernardsville Soap box derby Committee
Boys from the ages of 11 through 15 were eligible to participate, only boys who resided in Bedminster, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Chester, Far Hills, Harding Township, Mendham and Peapack were accepted. The races were split into two groups; Class A and Class B. Class B includes boys from ages 11 through 12 and Class A include boys from age 12 through age 15. The winners in each class competed for the Derby trophy. The Derby winner was sent to Akron Ohio, expenses paid, to compete in the All American Soap Box Derby. In addition to the cost of the Official wheels, permitted expenses for the cost of materials used in the construction of the racing cars will be limited to a total of $20. The expense allowance does not include the cost of painting and lettering of the cars.
The Somerset Hills Jaycees sponsored the event, which was supported by the Bernardsville News and the Bernardsville Recreation Department. Chevy dealers were the only national sponsors supported by local dealers. In this case, it was Werring Chevrolet of Basking Ridge.
Funny side note: Werring Chevrolet loaned the Arndt’s a brand new Chevrolet for the trip to the national championships in Akron, Ohio. Brian won his first heat in Akron, OH, and Vice President Nixon presented the winning flag. A spectacular accident took Brian out in the second heat. There were over 100,000 spectators at the race at Derby Downs.
1960 Somerset Hills Jaycee-Chevrolet Soap Box Derby
Two champions were on Sunday, June 19, 1960, at the Somerset Hills Jaycee-Chevrolet Soap Box Derby. Johnny Powell, 13, son of Dr. and Mrs. Matthew Powell of Liberty Corner Road, Far Hills, won the Class B Championship, saying immediately after the race, “This is the biggest moment of my life! ” His car was sponsored by J. Mastro Shoes of Bernardsville, who watched the proceedings from the Bernards Inn porch. Mrs. Millicent Fenwick of the Bernardsville Reaeration Advisory Board Chairman oversaw the event.
Source: Bernardsville News.
Johnny Powell said he had worked steadily on the car for two months. It was made of hardwood with a natural finish. Johnny’s parents were excited as the young man and many patients joined Dr. Powell in the basement to see the young man’s handwork. Johnny earned a spot at the Soap Box Derby National Championship in Akron, Ohio, with the win. The Class A Champion was Andy Sorrell, who scored his win with the fastest course run at 23 seconds in an earlier heat. Johnny Powell won the final head-to-head race of the day at 23.2 seconds.
This car was recently found in an old barn in Sussex county, New Jersey. and was Johnny Powell’s championship car in 1960. Source: Facebook
The 1960 local derby was organized by Thomas Waldron of Bernardsville, NJ, and sponsored by Bernardsville’s Somerset Hills Jaycees. Boys would have their parents take them to construction clinics throughout the year at Bernards High School and the Liberty Theater for instructions on building and operating a soap box car. Rules were covered; if you were lucky enough to win, you would qualify for the national championships held annually in Akron, Ohio.
The 1960 Somerset Hills Jaycee-Chevrolet Soap Box Derby began at 1 pm with a parade up Route 202 followed by an “oil can racer” match race including Bernardsville’s Police Chief Tom Kenney, Bernards Township’s Chief Harry Allen, and Bedminster’s Chief Vincent Kavanaugh. The first heat started at 2 pm. A Banquet of Champions was held at the Old Mill Inn. Approximately 3,000 spectators attended the 1960 event.
Colonial Derby on Mills Street Soap Box Derby
Morristown, New Jersey – 1962-1963
A partnership between the Bernardsville Jaycees and the Exchange Club of Morristown sponsored the Coaster Derby. The derby moved to Morristown as the Bernardsville event didn’t meet the required 50 registrants.
A friend of the Mr. Local History Project sent in these photos she purchased as part of an online collection.
If anyone has details of this race or these photos, please let us know.
The 1962 Morristown-Somerset Hills derby winner was Thomas Stoneman from the Lyons section of Bernards Township, who won the 1962 event on the inaugural track on Mills Street in Morristown. Stoneman went on to win his first heat at the Nationals in Akron, Ohio. Stoneman was the youngest participant at only 11 years old. His older brother, Jack Stoneman, was runner-up at the 1959 derby held in Bernardsville, New Jersey. This was a very important year as the All-American Derby Race was celebrating its 25th anniversary.
In the fifth year of the area event, on June 22, 1963, the Morristown—Somerset Hills Jaycee-Chevrolet Soap Box Derby (Coaster Derby) winner was Robin Armstrong of Bedminster, New Jersey. Twenty-four racers participated. Robin’s brother Patrick Armstrong had won the 1961 derby held in Bernardsville. Both went on to race at the national championship in Akron, Ohio.
I lived on Mills St. and during the late 1950’s -1960’s where they ran the derby. The start would be a few houses down the street from me about in front of 57-59 Mills Street and it ran down the hill toward Alexander Hamilton elementary school. I only remember it running for a few years.
Robert (Bob) Guinter – Mills Street, Morristown, New Jersey
Rumor had it that there was a crash one year and someone was hurt and that was that.
Inaugural Somerset Valley Derby
Somerville, New Jersey 1983
In 1983, the first Somerset Valley YMCA soapbox derby was held on North Bridge Street in Somerville, New Jersey. Jill Bowman of Basking Ridge (via California) captured 4th place, and Frank Yurasko of Bernardsville placed 5th out of 14 entrants. The 600-foot course on North Bridge Street was known as a “drivers hill.”
The Ultimate Derby:
Akron, Ohio’s Derby Downs
Photobook – High Bridge, New Jersey Soap Box Derby
Additional Information
New Jersey features many races throughout the state. The mission of the New Jersey Soap Box Derby Racing Association is to help promote and publicize all forms of Soap Box racing throughout New Jersey. The International Soap Box Derby championship is held annually in mid-July in Akron, Ohio. To order your car kit or for more info about the World Championship race, please go to www.soapboxderby.org
Every July, about 500 champions and their families from the United States and countries including Canada, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand arrive in Akron for a week of race-related activities. The week begins with technical inspections, weigh-ins, and trial runs on the famous 989-foot-long track at Derby Downs.
Racers compete in separate divisions based on their age and construction skills. Boys and girls ages 7 to 13 compete in the Stock Car division, which features the most straightforward ready-to-assemble kits purchased from All-American Derby headquarters. Youngsters 10 through 17 can compete in the Super Stock division, with cars that accommodate larger youngsters, or the Masters division, featuring traditional, more sophisticated cars.
The Ultimate Speed division is open to drivers between 16 and 24 who pilot innovative race cars at speeds not attainable with the traditionally designed vehicles. Division champions compete in Akron for college scholarships.
The National Super Kids Classic, a race in which special needs children compete in two-person cars driven by veteran Soap Box Derby racers, is also part of the festivities. Additional information can be found at www.soapboxderby.org*. Also, follow the Derby on Facebook and Twitter for updates, photos, and more.
New Jersey Soap Box Derby Events
- 2024 – June 1 – High Bridge Soap Box Derby – High Bridge, New Jersey
- 2023 – June 3 – High Bridge Soap Box Derby – High Bridge, New Jersey
- 2022 – June 4 – High Bridge Soap Box Derby – High Bridge, New Jersey
- 2021 – Sept. – High Bridge Soap Box Derby – High Bridge, New Jersey
- 2019 – Brick City derby – University Heights, Newark, New Jersey
- 2019 – Graphics Drive, Ewing, New Jersey
- 2007- Present – High Bridge, New Jersey
- 2001- Present- New Brunswick Soap Box Local Derby (Largest in New Jersey- State Championships)
- 1995 – Hillsborough, New Jersey Derby
- 1983 – North Bridge Street, Somerville, New Jersey
- 1983 – Lebanon, New Jersey
- 1972 – Newark, New Jersey – 15,000 people watched 55 cars run a Central Avenue incline.
- 1965 – Montrose Avenue, S. Plainfield, New Jersey – Wildcat Soap Box Derby
- 1963 – Gallows Hill Road, Westfield, New Jersey
- Greater Somerset Hills – Morristown Derby
- 1963 was the 14th annual event in the area.
- 1962 – 1963 Mill Street, Morristown, New Jersey. The Coaster Derby on Mill Street
- 1959 – 1961 Mine Mount Road, Bernardsville, New Jersey Somerset Hills Jaycee-Chevrolet Soap Box Derby
- 1946 – 1950 Mine Mount Road to Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ – St. Bernards Fair Soap Box Derby @Claremenot Road Parish House
- 1947 -1948 North Jersey Championships & Twin Boro Derby – Oct 3, 1948 Peapack Gladstone on Mendham Road. (Soap Box wagon racing)
- 1933 – Main Street, Califon, New Jersey, between 513 and School Street, Califon Soap Box Derby (50th running in 1983)
More Fun Jersey History
I was in the Derby three years running in the mid-69’s in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. I still have the helmet dated 1968, but at this point I don’t know which of the three years it was from – probably the last. My best finish was third, I think in the second year. I remember there were a LOT of cars from the Ocean County area, but I was the only kid from Brick Township who was ever in it, even though all my friends loved racing my cars down the small hill on our dead-end street.