President's Corner
Derby Nation,
I started this page to better inform you of the happenings at the All-American office and across Derby world. This page will be updated frequently and the posts will be short but informative. You can also follow us on facebook.
Joe Mazur
Terry Anaszewicz's last day with the All-American Soap Box Derby was February 9th. As part of an office reorganization Terry was offered a newly created position of Events Manager. Terry's current position as an IT professional at Hudson City Schools would not allow her to accommodate the demands of the new position. I would like to thank Terry for the many years of dedicated service to the derby as Local Race Coordinator and for the many years as a dedicated parent of a racing family. I wish her well in all future endeavors.
Today I received Track Manager Ed Del Ferraro's resignation. I would like to thank Ed for his hard work and dedication over the many years with the Derby. I wish him well in all future endeavors.
SOAP BOX DERBY BOARD APPROVES CHANGES TO FOUR RULES
Dear All-American Soap Box Derby Families,
On Thursday, Jan, 12, 2012, the All-American Soap Box Derby's Board of Directors approved changes to four rules, as our participating race families throughout the world have been requesting.
These changes, which are all effective immediately, are intended to reduce the expense of purchasing new racer components, to encourage participation and to promote fair competition.
The changes are:
Floorboards: The All-American organization is rescinding a change that was to take effect on Aug. 1, 2012, requiring racers to buy new floorboards. Any floorboard will be permitted as long as it has been engraved with the Soap Box Derby logo (a process that began in 1999).
Axles: Also rescinded is a rule change requiring new axles. In the Stock and Super Stock divisions, axles made in 2000 and newer years are permitted; Masters' car axles must be from 2004 or newer. Year of manufacture is stamped on the axles.
Floorboard coatings: Racers now can coat their floorboards with tung oil in addition to wax. The current rule limits any coating to wax.
Epoxy: Epoxy will now be permitted when installing the bushing.
January 6, 2012
On Monday Rita Russo will join the All-American staff as Marketing Director. Please welcome her!
January 3, 2012
We will have several new race cities this year Gatineau, Quebec; Crestview, Florida; Kingsville, Ontario; Liberty, New York; and Lynchburg, Virginia. Stay tuned for more new race city announcements!
January 2, 2012
Today we received word that the Germany, Tampa Florida and Rantoul Illinois Locals will be returning to the All-American this year! Welcome back Germany, Tampa and Rantoul! Stay tuned for more Local race city news.
December 27, 2011
Our website was down from December 25-27. Sorry for the inconvenience.
December 23, 2011
Today is the last day for Ashley Laber in our office. I would like to thank her for her hard work and dedication to the All-American Soap Box Derby. We will miss her and wish her great success in the future.
November 8, 2011
The National Control Board met and discussed race week operations and race week events.
November 5, 2011
Today we hosted the Regional Directors meeting. We had a great meeting. A good part of the meeting included race week planning. Look for announcements in the near future regarding the weeks activities.
November 1, 2011
Our new interns are already working hard. They have compiled an email database with over 2,000 email addresses and are working on another email database with over 6,500 addresses. If you are interested in adding your email address to our database please email Breanna at breanna@aasbd.org. We are also in the process of creating an e-newsletter.
October 28, 2011
Today was the annual National Control Board elections. Eight of the nineteen positions were up for election. Six three-year terms, one two-year term and a one year term. Tim Cape, Bob Cooper, Craig Flury, Danny Hughes, Will Looman and Debbie Novella were elected to the three year terms. Bruce Hunsiker Sr was elected to the two year term. Dale Russell was elected to the one year term. Will Looman was elected to serve as Chairman, Bob Cooper was elected to Vice Chairman, Tim Cape was elected to Secretary. I would like to thank all 22 candidates. This was a record number of candidates.
October 19, 2011
Our office has been busy planning next years big 75th anniversary. We have added two new communication/marketing interns from Kent State University to help. Stay tuned for some news about new events during race week.
September 19, 2011
We have been very busy planning the 75th All-American Soap Box Derby. I would like to hear what you would like to do or see next year. Email me at joe@aasbd.org.
New rule Clarifications:
Question: Does this mean that a racer who placed in the top 9 for a rally division are eligible again. Yes!
Top 9: This no longer comes into play as we revised rule #C-4.03. The old rule (effective UNTIL 9/3/11) said Masters could not come back a 2nd time if they placed in the top 9. The new rule (effective 9/03/2011) states all divisions may come back a 2nd time and there is NO reference to the top 9. Therefore, everyone can re-qualify regardless of how the placed in their first rally champ participation in Akron (provided they are age eligible, meet the local race participation requirement, and they race a legal car).
Question: How are points going to be addressed for races already completed.
Rallies prior to 9/3/11: Since the rule did not go into effect until 9/3/11, anyone racing in the rallies prior did so knowing that they were competing as a non-points racer. That being said, an award of participation points (not placement points) will be given to those who raced.
September 12, 2011
Without the All American Soap Box Derby volunteers we would not be able function. Each volunteer is imperative to the race going over the hill! In an effort to organize all of you that give of your time, we are collecting general information. By doing so, we can better coordinate, communicate and gather feedback from each member. It is my kind request that I ask that each volunteer to complete the information in the following link. All information will be confidential and will lead us into a well-organized 75th.
Derby Nation,
September 1, 2011
Today the Board of Directors approved a rule that will allow a participant in the Rally program to be eligible to race in the AASBD World Championship Race as a Rally Champion a second time in each division. The details of the rule are below.
The following rule changes are amendments to the current AASBD rulebook:
The following is the change to rule C-4.03, this also eliminates rule C-8.02d:
*A participant in the Rally program is eligible to race in the AASBD World Championship Race as a Rally Champion a second time in each division if the following criteria are met:
- They are age appropriate for the Division in which they are competing.
- If eligible, they must race in their Local race in the stock or super stock division regardless of the rally division in which they are competing. Exceptions to this would be if they are not age appropriate for a division, they already won their local race in stock and/or Super stock, or they are rally racing in the Masters division and have not won a Local race in the Masters Division (as they must race in a Local Masters Race).
- Participants must use a car that meets all current rules and building specifications. Cars that have been used in a previous AASBD World Championship Race in Akron, Ohio may continue to be used by the SAME participant as long as it meets all other current rules and building specifications.
- This rule is effective September 3, 2011 through July 31, 2012
Current A-7.09 Rule:
A-7.09 If a car participated in an AASBD World Championship Race, the original participant may continue to race the car until a Rally Champion and Local Champion status is achieved (age restrictions apply).
Updated A-7.09 Change:
A-7.09 If a car participated in an AASBD World
Championship Race, the original participant may continue
to race the car until a 2nd Rally Championship and Local
Championship status is achieved (age restrictions apply).
Rule C-16.01a would no longer be necessary:
C-16.01 A participant is permitted to compete in Rally Races as a "Non-Point Earner" if he or
she meets one of the following criteria:
a. The participant is a former Rally Regional Title winner (previously called "Rally
District Title" winner) who has competed in the AASBD World Championship as a
Rally Champion and is still rallying in the same division. See exception Rule
C-4.03.
August 24, 2011
We are nearing the planning stages of the 75th celebration of the All American Soap Box Derby. I believe that the voices of our racers and their families are the most valuable forms of feedback that we can receive. I plan to initiate several feedback and listening systems throughout the year that will allow us to monitor how we are doing. Everyone associated with the derby is crucial to the success of race week and all will have the opportunity to share their ideas collectively. The 74th annual race families should be receiving an email link in which they may enter their feedback. If it is more convienent for you, please select the link below and provide your annonymous feedback, The deadline will be 9/5/2011. TAKE ME TO THE SURVEY!
August 18, 2011
Today the Board of Directors approved a request to change the Stock age to 7 and the Super Stock weight to 240. These changes are effective immediately. A Rally rule change to allow drivers and cars to re-qualify and return to Akron more than once in the same division was considered and was tabled for a week. Once additional information is supplied to the Board a ruling will be made on the request. Please email me with any input on the Rally rule being considered.
July 27, 2011
Master shells are back in production. We should have about 25 in stock by mid August and production will continue. Orders are being accepted online.
July 26, 2011
August 4th we will be holding a STEM School race for the Baltimore Public Schools. Check out this link http://www.greatkidsupclose.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=hhKNI1PBImE&b=5108423&ct=11057143¬oc=1
July 25, 2011
I hope everyone had a great week! I enjoyed the week and plan on reviewing race week with our staff and the volunteer groups. I would like your feedback. Please send comments/suggestions to joe@aasbd.org. I am already working on next year "75"!
July 24, 2011
I would like to thank our volunteers! This event could not happen without the hundreds of dedicated volunteers! THANK YOU!!!
July 17, 2011
Welcome Champs! I hope you enjoy your week!
July 13, 2011
Tents are in place, golf carts were delivered and the champ bags are ready!
July 11, 2011
The count down to race week continues. The track was prepared for painting, flags are going up and the track has been calibrated.
July 10, 2011
All cars have been delivered.
NEW: We installed live camera feeds in both buildings.
Rally Barn http://soapboxracing.net/img/main_fs.htm
Local Barn http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aasbd-live-74th-2011
Enjoy!!
July 7, 2011
Today will be very busy. Cars will be delivered, the balance of the wheels will be calibrated, the board of directors will meet at 3pm and we willbe setting up for the Itailian Festival to promote the race.
July 6, 2011
The program is being finalized and the RSVP's are coming in for the Corporate Race "Thrill of The Hill". Champ paperwork is being finalized and the champ bags are being filled.
July 2, 2011
Today we started receiving champ cars. I would like to thank the volunteers for helping over the holiday weekend.
June 30, 2011
Master shell molds will be delivered to the new manufacturer today. We should have a sample before the All-American.
June 28, 2011
Most of the champ paperwork has arrived. Lynne and Terry have been working very hard to process as quickly as possible.
June 26, 2011
Champ bags have arrived. A team of volunteers will begin packing the bags next week.
June 18, 2011
Ken Morrow and a team of volunteers started the track calibration. This was a great learning experience for me. After a few hours of track calibration I ventured off to the Portage local and the Cortland local. Weather was great, fans enjoyed themselves and champions were crowned!
June 13, 2011
Race week plans are coming together. Champ paperwork has been filling the mailbox. Congratulations to the champs and good luck to those preparing to race.
June 10, 2011
Wheel calibration started Tuesday. Three hundred sets were calibrated thanks to a dedicated group of NCB members. The remaining two hundred wheels will be calibrated in July.
