About the Program

The South Arkansas Soap Box Derby was brought back to El Dorado, Arkansas in 1999. Rudy Bright, Jr. was the one to get things rolling and has served as Director for the event the past 3 years.  The South Arkansas Soap Box Derby participates solely in the Stock Division.  The race is a double elimination event, which means that each car must be defeated twice before it is eliminated.  Each heat consists of two phases with the racers exchanging lanes and wheels for the second phase.  If a car wins one phase and loses the other phase, the winner of the heat will be determined by which car won by the greatest total margin.  This format eliminates any lane advantage and also allows each competitor a mimimum of four trips down the track.  Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers and a racing medal will be presented to each driver.  The winner of the South Arkansas Soap Box Derby will receive $750 for travel expenses to go on to the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.  

More About the Race:

The Soap Box Derby is a youth racing program for boys and girls ages 8 through 16.  This is a unique program in that it encourages adult-child interaction while building and racing the car.  The construction of the gravity race car reinforces the importance of setting and completing goals while developing traits such as self-confidence, perseverance and craftsmanship.  Adults can learn new abilities while teaching children proper use of tools.  The youth are encouraged to do as much of the work as their level permits.  The car is built from a kit, which includes a one piece plastic body shell, pre-cut and drilled floorboard, pre-drilled axles and complete instructions.  Wheels can be ordered separately.  Completed construction time for the novice builder is estimated at four to six hours.  Weight limit is 200 pounds, car, child and wheels.