The state of Maine soap box derby race is held in Houlton ME and this year’s running is June 16th, 2018.
June 2nd the derby crew held a tech day and hands on session for new drivers and their support team. The trail runs, the yearly state of Maine soap box derby race, any spring or fall rallies are held on Derby Hill at Community Park. Families looking to gain experience and points for their derby racers flock to the Maine rallies for spirited competition. Some rally races are held under the lights too!
Soap Box Derby Racing! On Tech Day, New Racers Learn How To Set Their Cars Up, To Take A Few Trail Runs Down Derby Hill!
The Derby Hill is a specially built over 800′ paved two lane course with guardrails, a garage topside in case of rain and designed for an electronic eye timer at the bottom run out.
This soap box derby race course is 8 to 17 years of age drivers who build a kit car and want to compete.
The winner of heats from brackets outlining who races who advances up the pairings to determine who will represent the local and our state in the big World Series of racing out at Derby Downs. The site for the All American Soap Box Derby started by in 1934 in Akron Ohio.
Here are some past videos for soap box derby racing to show how each year the weather, the size of he field, everything is a little big different.
It is a lot of fun, every racer shakes hands after each heat to keep it a good sportsmanship lesson. Kids learn about the mechanics of the derby race car and there is nothing I am told like “The Thrill Of The Hill!”
Like to race or know of someone that should be in this neat derby program?
The Houlton Maine soap box derby program started back in 1996 and is still going strong! It was the largest race city in the country five years running! And having our own engineered hill helps the derby keep from burning out the support team that is getting older!
Questions? Here to help! Reach out and will do my best as a past director of the race and with a few trips out to Akron under our family belt to be able to share the experience and tips. Get in, stay low, hang on and we have a green light up on topside. That means if drivers are ready, the launch lets the gate open up and the cars to roll with the help of gravity. Gravity, running the quickest line to the bottom, weights, alignment, a lot more goes into who wins the derby heat in soap box derby racing.
Visiting a shut in at a nursing home or an elderly member of a small Maine town that is house bound can yield much rich local history.
Meg and I visited one gentleman in the local Gardiner Nursing home yesterday. And it made all three of our days. As you listen to the yesteryear stories, you see the energy and vitality return to the tale teller. Our local resource in the Maine nursing home shared much on local buildings now gone or replaced. The folks who lived in the neighborhood houses, recounting tid bits of information about their families. All local history facts that fade with time but need to be documented to pass on and stay alive.
This person grew up on Prospect Street in Houlton Maine and talked at length about a wagon or carriage factory that was three stories high. The top level for painted fancier carriages, the bottom level used more for working wagons. He explained his uncle had patented in 1902 a special wagon for the local Northern Maine potato farmers to save wear and tear on their backs. The design of the axle to lower the platform was very popular. To make it easier for their help, the families working on the farm to load barrels of potatoes out of the field up and onto the wagon platform. For the journey to the local potato house for storage over the winter months. To draw from and empty the bins in one by one load sales to the consumer down country that was accessed by railroad. No overnight, just in time inventory deliveries from trailer trucks at this time in history available.
Earlier SUV Open Wagons, Carriages Built In Houlton Maine Prospect Street’s 3 Story Factory.
We also had a local Aroostook County tinkerer who invented a tong potato barrel hoist that had three claws.
That you could toss from the loading flat bed truck used to collect the barrels. Attaching itself like a spider on the top of potato storage barrel made of cedar staves or sheets of plywood. The hoist tong would tighten and hold tightly to the straps of wood that held the barrel frame together as it was pulled upward and swung over to be lowered on to to the stake truck platform loading area. Using an electric motor first and then modified with hydraulic pump running off the truck’s engine.
I had taken this same gentleman through a house we had listed for sale a few years back. That was being shown to a friend of his, a classmate who moved back to retire in Houlton Maine. The retired builder came along to explain how the home was built, what was the custom at the time in the local construction of neighborhoods in my small Maine town. He was like a building inspector of sorts, like a shop teacher on the home tour. The flooring was oak when 90% of the same type homes of the period were constructed with maple stock. I asked the builder who had hung up his saw and hammer, nail pouch but able to drive himself around, who had created this house back in 1957, just why that was.
He smiled as the story started like it was yesterday and crystal clear in his memory.
George Keeps Any Eye On Market Square In My Northern Maine Town Of Houlton.
Explaining he did not want to use oak but maple flooring was not to be found. There was a shortage of any local building supply inventory of maple flooring to use in this ranch style home on the southern end of the village. The oak flooring cost $100 more for the entire home and was a last resort to keep his men busy and the project moving along so he could finish up one house to begin another next door.
As one by one the structures popped up on both sides of the street. To hook to existing water and sewer, the electrical utilities. And have the street built to specs so the local municipality would adopt the roadway and take on responsibility for paving, snow plowing, lighting and the routine maintenance that would be required in the years ahead. These houses sold for $4000, $5000 and a high of $6000 which was big money at the time for a Northern Maine home.
In small Maine towns, walking scores are off the chart too.
You don’t need to rate the area for how easy it is or safe you are if you decide to take a stroll for some fresh air. Day or night, we walk any chance we get. Often it is quicker not just healthier than firing up the steel horse, parking it and bee-lining for the destination in mind. You see other members of the community along the way and I find myself thinking about who lived in this house before the current owner. And to try to think back through the chain of ownership and to consider what was it like in my small Maine town when it was first built.
Snow Sledding, Ice Fishing, Pond Hockey Skating. Maine Winters Are Just As Special As The Other Three Seasons.
Not knowing that a great great uncle lived in this home or moved to that one over there after a fire. The local news and how the town grew and what was the industry at the time is all exciting when it is your home town that is a source of pride and respect.
It is easy to get busy. To put off things you know should be part of the daily, weekly, yearly schedule. We made a promise. I want to return to visit and make notes that contain local history that may not be headline Earth shattering news but very interesting just the same.
The blog topics benefit from the inspiration older members of the small Maine towns eagerly supply. We told this nursing home resident the pair of us would be back to listen and learn. He said come anytime, with a smile “I have all the time in the World”. Do you have family members in a local nursing home or elderly care facility that you visit and learn from too?
The state venue for the Maine Soap Box Derby Race is Houlton Maine.
Derby racing is not new to the Pine Tree State. Since 1934 when the big national race started in Akron Ohio, through out the years Maine fielded a crop of new racers. Boys and girls that competed for the chance to head out to the mid west to represent their local town on the bigger stage.
Waiting For His Turn Down Derby Hill In Houlton Maine. Stomach Butterflies Happen.
Derby racing in Maine was big in the 1950’s, 1960’s when the parents or sponsor only ordered wheels and axles, a helmet . That was it with the rest of derby car building left up to the racing team. To collectively figure out what to construct for the driver to slide into for the hang on, strap in, get down.
Here we go down the derby race hill in one of two lanes. A street shut down for the day of racing in Maine to determine a derby winner took a lot of work in the build the hill and tear it down to put it back into its original intended use for local vehicle traffic.
Back in 1995 when the now defunct MBNA was active in the Northport / Camden Maine area, $20,000 was set aside by then rolling high credit card giant.
Even Steven, Heats In Soap Box Derby Race Decided By Electric Eye And Hundredths Of A Second Differences To Determine Who Advances To Make The Trip To Akron, Ohio.
Ear marked for the planning and implementation of a Maine state soap box derby race program. To bring back was had taken a nap. Fueled with money to lubricate the wheels to jump start down hill gravity racing, the strong derby association in New Hampshire was tapped. To help Maine put on a program to create boys and girls to climb into sponsored cars to compete in heats. Down hills in a small Maine town or one of the handful of cities in Vacationland.
So with the help of the Granite State to the south, the wheels started spinning as kit cars were orders from the All American Soap Box Derby Association. Shipping companies started delivery of the stock, super stock cars. And outlined the procedure to build these two classes plus the master derby car division. The latter designed with a tad more latitude to add your own ingenuity and engineering for older derby racers. To keep their interest captive and competitive with the spirit of racing.
Because entire families have kids who derby race in Maine and other state locals.
Take your pick Watch some Maine soap box derby race videos. To see how things rock and roll, for the rattle and hum. The three divisions designed to draw from all the ages and stages of youth in this competitive down hill car racing sport. Where gravity is your engine. Plus lots of applied science to explore more reasons why some kids and their derby race cars are faster to the finish line.
Maine Soap Box Derby Race Videos. Take Your Pick, For The “Thrill Of The Hill”. Just Double Click Search Image Link To Past Race Videos.
Dealing with changing weather is part of soap box derby racing and kids, their families prepare for as one factor of the sport to always consider. Because any kind of wind, rain, snow, blistering heat. Or surprise, all of the above that Maine is famous for that happens during long derby races. Held under skies of all colors in the ever changing weather report on any given day when down hill soap box derby races are held.
In 1995 a resurgence soap box derby race in Maine was held in Camden.
A few families from Houlton Maine with children who raced in the stock division took careful notes. Bringing back what the parents and pioneer racers learned on the coastal town race sponsored by MBNA. To kick off a race in Houlton Maine where a peaceful take over of Drakes Hill, happened. A public US highway not far from the International border crossing into Canada was where the local Northern Maine soap box derby race was held until 1999. The earlier version, not kept up to date Northern Maine Soap Box Derby site shows the history. See link below for new fresh current soap box derby news for the Maine program. Video link for a soap box derby race in Maine.
More on our national champion, the five local soap box derby races in Maine, who they were back in the late 1990’s. And explaining the reason crash and burn out happened in the derby racing in Maine program. The lone soap box derby race venue Houlton Maine is where the state competition is held each June. Why did this small Aroostook County town derby racing program survive? Because of the wisdom of locals to build an engineered hill specifically for down hill racing events. For local races and derby rallies held around the calendar to sharpen driving skills. To provide opportunities for racers to log more time behind the wheel. For youngsters filled with “the thrill of the hill” fever to compete in downhill soap box derby car racing.
Good Work Out. Some Soap Box Derby Race Cars Heavier Than Others. Small Driver Equals Heavy Car.
The Houlton Maine local, now state race dual purpose competition is June 17th, 2017.
The day before used to safety check derby race cars and check weights, educate new racers. And to make sure everything is kept fair in the spirit of racing where every driver hops out of their cars, meets in the middle of lane one and two to shake hands, congratulate. As someone moves on up into the medal rounds of the heat sheet for derby racing. To eventually create a new winner to represent the state of Maine in the world series, triple crown of racing in Akron Ohio the following month of July each year.
Your Me In Maine author is lucky to hail from Aroostook County where the state derby race is held.
I have enjoyed fielding two local soap box derby race winners, a son and a daughter who headed to Akron for the big race. Helping create four more drivers who won and went onto Ohio. All four of my kids were involved in kit car downhill racing on the local, and down state, New Hampshire soap box derby race circuit. With a Jeep pulling a loaded trailer with four derby cars, all the tools, weights, etc needed to race at many events around New England.
Houlton Maine’s Soap Box Derby Race The Largest In The Country Five Years In A Row!
I stayed with what was the largest race in the nation five years in a row because the derby program has been so good to my family. And the excitement of new racers who don’t want to wait until they are sixteen to drive a car is infectious.
Once you hear the launch release topside on derby hill looking down the track, and the sound of wheels rolling, derby mania returns deep down inside for me and others who have stuck with the Northern Maine soap box derby program.
Each car and driver has plenty of personality and it is fun for an adult to be a little kid and share in the racing excitement.
There is nothing like an 8 year old who is terrified at the top of Derby Hill that transforms to all grins and a desire to dig in and learn how to win at the bottom of the hill. When the zoo crew by the timer and cones hollers “BBbbrake”. And the driver pops up, asks did I win, was it me? As he or she looks back over their shoulder up at the timer lights to see which lane has the winning light shining.
There was a time when five soap box derby racing cities in Maine put on locals.
Recruited the parents and support from strong arms and backs to wallets opening wide to fund the soap box derby program. The five venues grew, peaked and eventually only the Houlton Maine Derby Hill program was the one race city to survive.
Maine Soap Derby Racing Produced A National Winner In Akron Ohio AASBD Run!
Why? Putting up a hill, tearing down the race track used to qualify the winning soap box derby field of boys and girls is one of the main reasons. (Ouch, the L3 and L4 crack thinking about it for many grabbing their back.)
Hard work, long hours and logistics of taking over a neighborhood, a public street and adding the hay bales, safety barriers, the launch, the run out on the end when everyone screams “BBbrrrrake! ‘
All the effort put into the race track creation and dismantling is why a program for soap box derby survives or dwindles down to peter out to no more program.
Staying abreast of all the car modifications, regulation changes made mandatory by the AASBD part of expense and education to keeping the momentum going. Kids grow up too.
The All American Soap Box Derby First Place Trophy Taller Than Most!
Have other family events, employment and recreational, sporting, etc pastimes to keep up with as well.
Besides just down hill gravity racing with kit cars that win or lose by a hundredth of a second in races divided into heats.
Watch the race videos salt and pepper through the derby site and on line around the social media circuit.
This past Sunday, the parents, family members of Mallory Bruin of Hampden Maine were honored in fine fashion at the Millar Civic Center. Video of the recognition for winning the top spot in soap box derby racing.
Town officials, the press, lots of well wishers and drivers especially that wanted to hear about the five heats after the winning the first one to advance.
Something two thirds of the racers don’t do in the three lanes, one trip down the hill that started the tradition back in 1934.
Check out the middle honey bee bright yellow jacket wearer with hands held high on the All America Soap Box Derby site lead in photo array. That’s Mallory Bruin from Maine.
A Maine Soap Box Derby Racer Wins The All American Top Honors, 1st Place Trophy!
After a parade and lights, siren escort through the Shiretown of Aroostook County when the family got off the Houlton Maine exit of Interstate 95, the national champ was treated to a reception with refreshments to relive the experience.
To thank the local volunteers that worked with she, her older and younger brother who were both in the Houlton Maine Soap Box Derby Race.
It is a big deal to win the state race or final game in any sport. But to go on and take the first place trophy on the national stage in Akron Ohio is something else.
Thank you parents Larry and Trisha, brothers Stephen and Chris who were on board from day one to cheer, hoot and holler.
No matter what the Maine weather that can add a whole new dimension to down hill racing with rain, wind, scorching sun, dipping low temperatures.
Kids and families are reminded we live in Maine, the weather can change every twenty minutes to keep it interesting and add to the challenges.
Like life, bundle up, get in, sit low, simmer down, hang on for the best ride. Or to just complete the challenge.
The Field Of Racers In This Years All America Soap Box Derby In Akron Ohio!
On the way to a World Championship tall trophy, a ring, all the other trappings included in the top spot honor.
No kid is raised by themselves in Maine either.
Thank you to the communities around the racers in Maine who contribute paint jobs, lettering, travel support.
And all have a helping hand in the accomplishments of one young lady who can drive, consistently win heat after heat in her red super stock car with the musical notes trailing in the wind on each side.
Congratulations Mallory Bruen and good luck to all other boys and girls who decide to rally race, to compete in the June state local event in Houlton Maine on Derby Hill.
To experience the thrill of the hill and learn about mechanics, competition, safety first and spirited soap box derby racing.
It’s a big deal celebrating the nation’s birthday, all our USA freedoms.
Small Maine towns turn up the volume on the local events to wave the red, white and blue. And state fairs, local celebrations are part of the fun in small towns like Houlton Maine. Parades, fireworks, great food and carnival rides combine with events like horse and truck pulls. And demolition derby smash them up car collisions. That the crowd hoots, hollers it’s appreciation for their favorite drive. Usually the underdog, newcomer or old classic local icon favorite.
The Carnival Food, Fun, Games, Rides. Did You Get Your Fill This 4th Of July In Maine?
Retailers, shop keepers in Maine combine in full force to collectively offer bargains to hold up their end of the party. To do their part too!
And company, talk about overnight guests and extra cooking, cleaning and juggling to fit it all in. Have had a lot of people wander in and out of work this week. Perplexed and wondering what day it is exactly.
One lady that owns a lake home in Maine we are selling said her two grandchildren just left.
They are seven and nine and wore she and her husband out. She said the granddaughter, the youngest argued about everything.
The grandson wore out her older husband riding bikes, casting fish lines, learning how to drive a golf ball.
He and she are both played out. Geritol tonic won’t help. They are belong exhausted and one dose of sleep session is not going to reverse the sluggish feeling. Of being torn inside out entertaining.
She felt like a short order cook and it was more difficult to find food the kids would eat.
Then she remembered her own kids, their grandchildren’s parents when they were little ones. Pushing food around their plates when they sat down for meal time.
Company can be like fish. Start to small a little as they linger a slightly too long and wear out their welcome. Some company pitches in more and are a big help and not a burden or dead weight about your Maine home.
Would You Take Driver’s Education From This Demolition Derby Driver?
It is hard to try to work and entertain guests, your out of town family that is on vacation on both ends of the day.
The company can get bored and are in vacation mode so entertain me please.
The house owner hosting the sleep over and share our home can use their washer, dryer round the clock and made several extra trips to the grocery store.
Maybe the lack of sleep, being a little punchy with all the down time of long vacations like the fourth of July cause drive irritation.
And desire to watch or be in a demolition derby event. Edging, spending and eating too much.
Traffic Is Not Usually This Heavy Or Aggressive Dog Eat Dog in Small Maine Towns.
Going too light on the Zzzzzzzz’s when getting your head in the bed, laying it down on the pillow each short night of darkness. Before up and at ’em, rise and shine, cock a doodle do.
The demolition derby in Maine.
Dangerous but each hit can make the folks in the audience wish they could just once in traffic do the same.
To plow into and stove all to heck the slow moving motorist making life come to a snail’s crawl out on the open highway.
Hope your fourth of July was a memorable, safe one and included family gatherings to catch up on the lives of other with the same DNA pumping in their arteries. Family is everything and what living in rural, underpopulated Maine is all about day in and out.
Learn the excitement of down hill gravity racing. Where weight, alignment, steering, lots of luck and plenty of family support does amazing things. Good clean family fun in spirited racing in Northern Maine. In one of the oldest American traditions, soap box derby racing. Houlton Maine is the state venue for the soap box derby race. Final Heat For Maine Super Stock Soap Box Derby 1st & 2nd Place.
This June 14th, 2014 race was the 19th and held on Derby Hill in Houlton Maine.
Lucky to have an engineer hill for the ease up setting up, tearing down the annual race, spring and fall rallies too.
To use the time in course preparation shifted to safety, fun, the racing heats down the hill.
To determine, create a winner of winners through a bracket sheet, series of heats.
To find out who is going west. To represent the state of Maine out in Akron Ohio.
Where since 1934, the World Series of “All American Racing” in Soap Box Derby has been held. Soap Box Derby Racing. Alive And Well In Houlton Maine.
Houlton Maine’s race has the distinction of being the largest local five years running.
Kit cars in stock, superstock, sometimes master’s division derby cars compete on Derby Hill in Houlton Maine.
