Marietta Soap Box Derby

In 2003, local businessman and Kiwanian Devan Seabaugh, after learning about Soap Box Derby Racing at an International Kiwanis Convention, returned to Marietta and asked the Kiwanis Club of Marietta to serve as the lead agency in hosting a local race of the All American Soap Box Derby.  Kiwanis President, Jan Blodgett and the Board of Directors agreed and pledged $10,000 to sponsor the inaugural event and Seabaugh agreed to serve as Race Director.

A pre-race festival was held Friday, May 14, 2004 where the racers where all introduced and adults got to experience the thrill of the hill, taking their turns in specially built adult soap box racers patterned after the Oil Can Racers of 1935.

The Inaugural Derby Race was held on Saturday, May 15, 2004, the sun was shining and the spirit of competition was in the air.  Thirty-two racers, 18 Stock Division Racers and 14 Super Stock Division racers competed for the local Championship.

In 2005 the race was moved to its current location at Marietta High School where the track measures approximately 500’ with a 50’ runout area.

Since that first race in 2004, nine Champions have represented the city of Marietta, Cobb County and the State of Georgia at the All American Soap Box Derby World Championship Race in Akron, Ohio.