While the 150th Kentucky Derby kicks off May 4 at Louisville’s hallowed Churchill Downs, so, too, will another critical race launch much closer to west Kentucky.
Now under the care and leadership of new non-profit Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation the 18th Annual Hopkinsville Soap Box Derby is much earlier than previous seasons.
Long-time Race Coordinator Annie Catron told the News Edge there were key reasons for this change.
She noted said it’s not the first time it’s been held this early, and in future planning, she added it might get moved to the fall if support welcomes it.
As for the Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club officially stepping away from the race, Catron added all of the efforts will look the same — with a few new twists.
For years, Bethel Hill served as the race’s domain — its steep, treacherous path carving right through downtown Hopkinsville.
Catron said the move to Ruff Park four years ago positively changed the dynamic of the day.
And it also created more demand.
Those between the ages of 7 and 20 can race, and it’s as simple as visiting with the Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation, signing up and paying a $50 registration fee to enter into the challenge. Catron said that can be negotiable, while some registration fees will get donated to the Hopkinsville Rotary Auction this year — and potentially the Cadiz Rotary Auction if the group is approached.
Catron also noted a preliminary race meeting went extremely well — with kids, parents, and even Ward 3 Hopkinsville City Councilman Don Marsh getting feels for the wheels.
Several new racers, she added, will be in the mix in 2024, and eight clinic days remain before race weekend.
Registration closes April 14. The non-profit is a group of parents and citizens who see the importance of building up the youth in Christian, Montgomery and surrounding counties. For more information, visit hopkinsville.soapboxderby.org.
DONATION OPTIONS
As a fledgling organization, they are seeking $20,000 for start-up, and all donations and sponsorships will help goals of using STEM-centered activities to create relationship-building opportunities.
In 2023, 55 children from 7 to 19 raced down the track at Ruff Park — and expectations will be the same for 2024.
A Winners Circle promise of $5000 equals “Title Sponsor” (name and logo on Finish Line banner, logo displayed in the form of a sticker on both sides of each car, name in all promotional print and social media posts, and logo on the back of the racer t-shirt).
Finish Line – $2000 – (logo on Winner’s Circle banner, business name in promotional print and a social media post, business name on signs on both sides of the track, and business name on the back of the racer t-shirt)
Crew Chief – $1000 – (logo displayed on large board/banner at track-topside, name in all promotional print and on the back of the racer t-shirt)
Pit Crew – $500 – (name on racing pendant on both sides of the track and on the back of the racer t-shirt)
Road to Akron – minimum $100 *this money will be used for the stipends for our local winners to help them travel to the 86th All American Soap Box Derby World Championship in Akron, OH on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Donations can be mailed to: Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation, 1319 Sanderson Drive, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. The deadline for donations to make print material is April 15.
