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Planning for the 2025 Soap Box Derby is underway -- and organizers say they still have open spots on the roster for six or seven racers to sign up.
"It's a community event," Michael Barclay, who has served on the steering committee since the race came back about 15 years ago, said. "I know there are kids that just don't know about it."
Racers must be between the ages of 7 and 17, and sign-ups are available on the Williamsport Soap Box Derby Facebook page or by following the QR code.
The construction clinic to build the cars is May 3. The race will be held on Market Street on June 7, from the intersection with Harris Place to the intersection with Little League Boulevard.
"It's more than just race day," Barclay said.
He explained racers take home their cars for about three weeks after the clinic, then return them to organizers a week before the race for safety inspections. Each racer taps a person – usually a family member – to work in the "pit" with them, keeping the car running on race day. Other family members often set up tents and chairs along Market Street to cheer their child or grandchild on.
"We have some great families that have been doing this year after year," he said.
The winner in each of the two divisions – stock and superstock – advances to the international championship in Akron, Ohio.
The steering committee also is looking for volunteers. Barclay explained the day is split in half, with one division racing in the morning and the other in the afternoon. He said organizers need volunteers before the racing begins to help set up the track, during the race for traffic control and to monitor barricades and after the race ends to disassemble the track.
Beyond the day of the race, organizers need volunteers to serve on the steering committee and help organize next year's race throughout the year.
He shared the committee's gratitude for sponsors and volunteers, noting the Kiwanis Club's members always provide "a lot of volunteers" and that businesses' and organizations' sponsorships of cars help greatly reduce the costs for participants.
"Without the community's support, we wouldn't have a race," Barclay said.