Soap Box Derby Backers Steering Into The Future

Momentum is building to make Emerson-Garfield the Soap Box Derby capital of the Inland Northwest….

“… Kinda like a Soap Box Derby going downhill,” said proponent Jay Cousins.

The neighborhood already hosts the only regional soap box derby race. Community activists and derby enthusiasts now are scouting for a permanent site.

The idea is still in the planning stage, and the group doesn’t have any money or a budget. A track would require about two acres on a hill.

Race director Chris Bovey found several parcels near Post and Cora streets, where the derby has been held for the past two years. Faith Bible Church is building a new facility there and discussed the possibility of donating some land to the derby.

City officials are enthusiastic about the idea. And its backers are determined.

“I’ll keep knocking on doors until I get my track for the kids,” said Marchette Momb, mother of a local ace racer. “It’s such a positive thing for kids, and it offers so much for families.”

The Emerson-Garfield neighborhood loves the Americana of the event, which includes bands, concessions and family events.

The race was once a Spokane fixture, with dozens of youths screaming down the Thor Street hill. The 1936 race featured 116 entries.

Bovey, a 34-year-old stockbroker, revived the race in 1994 after a 17-year absence with 10 racers. More than 60 cars are registered for this year’s event.

The race budget has swollen to $6,500 and includes celebrity racers such as City Councilman Chris Anderson and the Zoo Crew, local radio celebrities. Cartoonist Milt Priggee will race talk jock Richard Clear.

The growing interest in the event warrants a permanent track, says Momb. Parent of Bryann Robinson, last year’s derby winner, Momb had a soap box revelation last year when she accompanied her daughter to derby heaven - Akron, Ohio.

“It was like Dorothy stepping out the house into the color,” said Momb.

Akron is the site of the world derby championships, and racers were met at the airport by limo drivers. The derby track is a community nexus.

With no track closer than Boise, a permanent facility could make North Spokane the soap box capital of the Inland Northwest, Momb said.

Hardcores race every weekend, taking their carts and tool boxes on the soap box circuit. Proponents see tourism bucks heading Spokane’s way faster than a graphite cart. Not to mention the wholesome fun.

“There is nothing to do in this town until you are 21,” said Bovey.

“I read so much in the paper that there is never anything for kids, and here is a killer alternative,” said Momb.

“It’s kind of like mountain climbing or anything else. Until you do it, it isn’t into your blood. Then it becomes a passion.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Derby facts The Spokane Soap Box Derby will be held June 22 on the Post Street hill. For race information, call Chris Bovey at 328-0111.