by Theresa Garee

Recent improvements to the Derby Hill at Big Run Park make for an exciting new year of an old tradition.

Columbus Soap Box Derby racing since 1934. With years of races and champions, the Columbus Soap Box Derby is still being adopted by new families.

The city owned track at Big Run Park is used by many racing sports including the USA Luge team and Cyclocross athletes.

On Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. the Columbus Soap Box Derby Association will be hosting a rookie clinic for those who have recently adopted the sport. New families are welcome to drop-in to observe.

“Some pick it up naturally, some have to work at it harder,” President of Columbus Soap Box Derby, Inc Bill Forquer said.

The sport has 3 divisions with age brackets. A rookie would generally need to purchase a soap box car kit and put the car together. The association does have a few loaner cars available to help make the sport more accessible.

The race track is considered the best in the Midwest and has now crowned 3 World Champions.

Danielle Maloney and her son, Ronan, have raced in derby.

“My love for Derby started when I started racing at 9 years old. It’s the thrill of the hill. Now that I’m a mom, I look back and cherish all the memories of building derby cars with my Dad, traveling every weekend to different race cities, and the lifelong friendships I made along the way. Parents are not on the sidelines in soap box derby. Derby is a family team sport you do together and I’m looking forward to experiencing that with my son,” Maloney said.

For Ronan it’s, “feeling the wind on my face.”

More information about the sport and the local track can be found at http://columbus.soapboxderby.org.