The All-American Soap Box Derby is a national youth racing program for boys and girls ages 7–18, running since 1934. St. Louis has been part of this tradition since the 1950s, when races sped down Highway 40. For the past 20+ years, our local event has taken place on Macklind Avenue in The Hill neighborhood, between Botanical and Shaw.
The Derby is more than a race. It is a true STEM experience where racers and their families build gravity-powered cars from standardized kits, learning engineering, mechanics, and teamwork together. Along the way, participants receive support through build clinics and guidance, ensuring every car meets the official specifications and rules set by the International Soap Box Derby. These standards guarantee fair competition where skill, focus, and creativity make the difference.
Sponsorship adds another layer of excitement. Like professional race teams, many young racers offset the cost of their kits by representing local businesses and families, proudly carrying sponsor names as they compete head-to-head on race day.
Above all, the Soap Box Derby is an experience that lasts a lifetime. It challenges kids to think and build, brings families together in a shared achievement, and creates a chance to become part of a vibrant gravity racing community rooted in tradition, learning, and connection.
