About Us

The premier youth and family oriented racing program in the United States comes to Cookeville , TN. as the Soap Box Derby races into town on June 21, 2008. Over 82 youth are expected to compete in their gravity-powered racers for a chance to represent Cookeville at the 68th All-American Soap Box Derby Championship at Derby Downs in Akron, OH on July 26, 2008.

The Cookeville , TN. race is one of 150 local races held across the U.S. and overseas this year where participants compete in one of three divisions: Stock, Super Stock and Masters. Drivers in the Stock Division range from 8 to 13 yrs old. Drivers in the Super Stock and Masters division range from 10 to 17 yrs old. While Stock is mainly for beginners who build simplified cars from kits, Super Stock racers build larger model cars made from larger kits and shells. Masters competitors build a more sophisticated designed-style car from scratch or a kit and are between the ages of 10 and 17. In competition, a Derby car can reach speeds upwards of 30 miles per hour depending on the angle of the ramp or hill.

Boys and girls can enter a local Soap Box Derby race by building a car from a kit purchased from the All-American Soap Box Derby and passing a pre-race safety and construction inspection. Participants are required to compete in the Soap Box Derby race geographically closest to where they reside. All race winners in each division automatically earn the right to compete in the All-American Finals.

Each kit can be assembled in as little as three hours with a parent or another adult and can be purchased by calling Lt. Mike Lee of the Cookeville Police Department at 931-520-5352. The kit includes a fiberglass body shell, wooden floorboard and assorted hardware.

Our race site is on W. 12 th St. beside Tennessee Tech Football Field in Cookeville , TN. The track is approximately 900 feet in length and cars are started on ramps. We run a double elimination; lane swap and wheel swap competition with all times recorded electronically. Contact Lt. Mike Lee at 931-520-5352 A.S.A.P. If you would like to purchase a new car kit and compete in our 2008 race. Orders for new car kits are being placed now.

Sponsors & Supporting Agencies

The 2008 Cookeville Soap Box Derby is made possible by these organizations and sponsors: