Floorboard Phaseout

As noted previously in our November Newsletter Akron is instituting a floorboard phaseout. We strongly recommend you check your flooorboard to make sure they meet spec. The official policy is below:

As of October 1, 2009:

The following stock and super stock laminated wood floorboards manufactured during the period of 1998 through 2005 will be phased out as follows with a final phase out date of August 1, 2012.

A description of the floorboards and their markings are as follows:

1998: The floorboards that do not have a burn stamp on them. Phase out: Immediately

1999-2001: The floorboards that have a “SBD” burn stamp on them. Phase out: No later than August 1, 2011

2002-2005: The floorboards that have a “SBD/Shield” burn stamp on them. Phase out: No later than August 1, 2012

Additionally, the following shall apply:

Stock Division: If upon measuring, any stock car that is found to have the front king pin greater than 7-15/16” from the front center of the floorboard to the center of the front kingpin, the floorboard is now considered illegal and can no longer be used.

Stock Division: The center of the front king pin to the center of the rear king pin is 61-1/8”,with a tolerance of +/- 1/16”. If upon measuring, these conditions are not met, the floorboardis now considered illegal and can no longer be used.

Super Stock Division: If upon measuring, the front king pin is found to be greater than 5-13/16” from the front center of the floorboard to the center of the front king pin, the floorboard is now considered illegal and can no longer be used.

Super Stock Division: The center of the front king pin to the center of the rear king pin is 63 3/8”, with the tolerance of +/- 1/16”. If upon measuring these conditions are not met, the floorboard is now considered illegal and can no longer be used.

The rationale behind this phase out period is listed below:
(1) Racers were permitted to re-drill their king pin hole in order to install the bushing
(2) Some racers have taken advantage of the opportunity to re-drill the king pin hole
and as a result have moved the hole closer to the rear of the car.
(3) With the above occurring, this has created an unfair advantage to the racers that
installed their bushing properly and are racing with floorboards manufactured after
2005.

Letter from Bill Evans

The Akron Beacon Journal recently published an article about the All-American Soap Box Derby’s current financial condition. This story was picked up by the Associated Press and appeared in several newspapers across the country. We feel it necessary to clarify a few misconceptions it may have created. The story seemed to suggest the Derby, based in Akron, Ohio, is on the verge of collapse. Although our situation is indeed serious, we want to assure our thousands of racers and their families across the country that we are confident support for the Derby is forthcoming. We intend on hosting our Championship Event in July 2010 in Akron, Ohio.

We are working closely with our bank to come to terms on our loan, and we’re aggressively seeking new forms of revenue. After USA Today published its own story this fall about our finances and future plans, we heard from companies and individuals interested in Derby sponsorship. We’re in discussions with some of them now. The actor, producer and director Corbin Bernsen also read the USA Today article. He was so inspired by our organization, he wrote a screenplay with the Derby in the central role. Bernsen plans to shoot part of the film in Akron, including scenes at our annual championship in July when winners from all over convene at Akron’s Derby Downs. Bernsen recently came to Akron to experience the “thrill of the hill” himself and discuss business matters, including a potential licensing fee for the Derby. We have had a groundswell of local support and we have meetings with the bank scheduled to resolve the current situation.

None of this is magic. We need money to keep the Derby dream alive for future generations of racers. We also need money to continue to expand our program into events involving alternative energies and other “green” resources. These sorts of deals take time, but we’re sure the event National Geographic recently called an American icon and SI Kids called the “coolest” will draw the support it needs to thrive.

Build your cars, follow your dreams, and we’ll see you in Akron when the cameras roll.

Sincerely,

Bill Evans
Chairman, Board of Directors
All American Soap Box Derby

New Website Launched

Salem SBD is pleased to announce the launch of our new website. Please have a look and let us know what you think:

http://salemsbd.org/