Orlando’s first annual Soap Box Derby

The first annual Soap Box Derby, biggest amateur racing event south of Atlanta, will be held tomorrow at 1 o’clock on the rolling racing course at Concord and Hyer in Colonialtown. The event, expected to attract thousands of persons from all over Central Florida, has attracted over 40 entries—home-built gravity powered racing creations of Central Florida boys between the ages of 11 and 15.
Dixie Kuhr, marshal of the day’s program, today asked that all
entries be on hand at the starting ramp at 9 o’clock sharp for rig inspection and for the judging for the many awards that will be given for qualities other than speed.
Over 500 spectators gathered at the course yesterday to witness the final tune-ups’ for the race. At left are pictured some of their ingeniously made “speed mills” and their young drivers. Thirty-nine cars took part in yesterday’s trials with several other post entries expected be on hand at the starting ramp at 9 o’clock sharp for rig inspection and for the judging for the many awards that will be given for qualities other than speed.
In the Atlanta event recently, the city of 400,000 produced only 43 cars for the finals.

At right, Motorcycle Officer Frank Sachse and Vern Rogers race three racers down the course under racing conditions. Racing tomorrow will be by heats. Class B entries- kids from11 to 12 years of age, will race first with heat winners all but one have been eliminated. The “B” class wining … Against the “A” winner, with the victor to get a trip to the National Derby race in
Akron, Ohio, and a chance at a $2,000 college scholar,
The Derby is sponsored by Orlando Daily Newspaper, Holler Chevrolet Company and the Orlando American Legion. These firms have donated many prizes for various heat winners and expert young “mechanics.