CHEVROLET’S ALL-AMERICAN SOAP BOX DERBY

[Music] [Music] one of the most natural things in the world is the boys love of competition almost from the cradle boys everywhere have a strong and earnest desire to win to be a chance long before grandpa wrote down the lane in the story with the fringe on top America has been on week yes young America begins early he almost cuts his teeth on weeks as soon as he learns to use the hammer and car he is usually found building things products of his own imagination scooters tape mobiles boats airplanes all sorts of things dear to the hearts of boys he likes things that move he likes motion but usually great pride results in the creation of his own car recognizing that it's a boys nature to create and compete Chevrolet together with leading newspapers and civic organizations has provided a national program for boys only the all-american soapbox derby the greatest amateur racing event in the world throughout America boys between 11 and 15 may enter the dirt first the boys and their fathers register with their local Chevrolet dealers here they are given official rulebook containing the national specifications regarding the construction of the racers regulations concerning height weight braking and steering devices are included in the rulebook for the purpose of safety and to ensure a fair race but the design and construction of the car are left to the boys ingenuity and although his family and friends may advise the boy must build his own car and build it all by himself [Music] tens of thousands of boys bring their completed racing cars for display and inspection prior to the local event powered only by gravity these Derby racing cars represent a tremendous amount of skill and effort months and months of diligent planning and careful construction have gone into the making of these unique vehicles it doesn't cost the boy a cent to enter his car in the all-american soapbox derby and national rules prevent any boys spending over six dollars above the cost of the wheels and actual many boys spend even less the all-american soap box derby conforms to American tradition equal opportunity for all and may the best man win over 30,000 cars are built each year and no two cars are alike for that typical of American boys they all have their own ideas on how a soapbox racer should be built local races are conducted by a contest committee of civic minded people from the boy's own community under the careful guidance of the sponsoring newspapers thousands of men who are still boys at heart give liberally of their time pending the many duties at the race track car inspection is one of the most important features of a soapbox derby race finished cars are closely checked against specifications set up by the national rules committee as defined in the rule [Music] in sectors of local races employ many types of gauges for checking the height weight and length of the car but regardless of how they are measured the cars must adhere to the rules a slight miscalculation in stress and strain resulted in a rejection for this boys car he was shown how to correct it however and later qualified for his race good brakes are essential in soapbox derby cars for the drivers own safety he must have control of his car at all times the weight of the car and the weight of the driver must be held within certain limits in 1946 the car couldn't play more than 135 pounds and this fellow was just under the wire now however the car may weigh up to 150 pounds boy and car together must not exceed 250 pounds prizes are given for best design cars some of them are extremely well-built though fox derby cars are displayed in exhibits throughout the country automotive engineers keep a keen eye on the design trends as advanced by boy bill here's one with a removable hood a bicycle wheel hub serves in the steering device streamlining is important to cut down wind resistance a touch of airplane design in this sharing mechanism pipe fitting for fun back and here's the not shaped car designed along the lines of a speedboat on wheels little details get a lot of attention some scrap transparent plastic served at the windbreak for solid comfort tennis balls resting on jar covers to absorb wheel shock and those important wheels get extra special attention here the boys are blowing dust from wheel bearings the only blowout this can happen to this car service tips are available for drivers whose cars do not meet specifications and for last-minute servicing tools and parts and plenty of assistance are handy for a variety of repair jobs the care given for final adjustments and check out with these service fit closely resembles the activity just before the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway classmate's steering mechanisms are rigidly inspected and adjustment brakes checked for safety and even a special soap box derby oil is supplied in some city [Music] glistening metallic luster safety helmet during the smart soapbox derby emblems are presented to every boy entering his car in the rain races are covered thoroughly by the newspapers and local radio stations enthusiastic drivers are interviewed before the race to let the radio audience know why each one of them is quite sure of winning [Music] practically every city and town from Maine to California as the pre-race parade some are very colorful and elaborate every parade is a sincere dedication to the boy infants in the all-american soapbox derby [Music] [Music] [Music] here are the drivers themselves young America on parade boys who are developing traits which lead to manliness these boys have accepted the challenge of competition and fair play every local derby is opened in its own manner here Governor Robert T flu of Iowa reminds the boys and the spectator true sportsmanship lies in the ability to be not only a modest winner but also a sportsman like losers cars are pulled up to starting ramp by the assistant stocker this is happening in Detroit Albany Washington Cleveland San Diego Roanoke Denver and 120 other cities in town all over the United States starting ramps vary in design and construction but every ramp provides an even start for the contestants ramps merely assist to start the grade of the hill takes care of the rest [Music] how's the spectators bacon turnout to enjoy the excitement and thrills of the greatest amateur racing event in the world eager crowd anxiously pressed forward to watch and cheer their favor the boys climb into their cars ten eager to get started the first heaps of local races throughout the country are ready to roll [Music] officials indicate back and police check the crowd already get set there are all over the nation thousands of boy drivers are racing their cars in all-american soap box derby racer every local race will produce the champion every local champion and his car will get a trip to the national finals at Akron Ohio with all expenses paid every champion in these local races will compete for the national championship but first he must win his local race the competition is tough all of the designing skill the days of work in backyard school workshop basements and garages in creating these cars plus the personal driving ability of each contestant is being put to the supreme test boisterous cheering crowds after the excitement mobs of friends relatives and friends each spectators wrong besides a barricaded track cling to trees or pack the grandstand to capacity this is Derby Day and anything can happen in the excitement and often does [Music] [Applause] [Music] as the chorus of each he crossed the finish line the winners are returned to the top of the hill to compete with other heat winners by this process of elimination one boy will be the local champ it takes a lot of officials to conduct the race judges at the finish line registrar's clerk starters heat directors inspectors police Boy Scouts and all of the many men and women that help in its preparation they all give freely of their time and efforts for the great satisfaction of making possible this the greatest of all boys sporting events businessmen frequently sponsor cars at local races however the winners car bears the name of a sponsoring newspaper at the national fight when a boy entered the soapbox derby race he sets a goal for himself he wants to cross the finish line first and there is no question who is the winner for every local race has accurate methods of determining the champion in some communities electric timing devices and photo finish equipment aid in judging post content while every race has a full staff of judges closely observing the outcome of each Heat blue skies and warm sunshine our characteristic of Derby day oh oh we forgot to mention a race may sometimes be interrupted by a slight do but it takes more than this to dampen the spirit of the spectators and the contestant seats get a quick turn over and are replaced in the grandstand and the crowd quickly returns for more thrill tact entertainments seldom do races compete on a wet track [Music] here's that speedboat again in the center lane or do we mean channel is proving itself on a wet track [Music] the crowd has learned that there are always plenty of thrills and sensations that an all-american soapbox derby race all safety precautions are taken at Derby races and most of them are accident free but cars do get out of control at time what's the driver in the center lane [Music] the only card across the finish line backwards [Music] here's a young lad who thinks he's going to take it right back up the hill whoops watch it buddy he lost his hat and his dignity but wasn't hurt a bit lost dog lost children everything happens on Derby Day climaxing an afternoon of thrilling elimination heat winners are returned to the hilltop for the final race this is the moment that everyone has been waiting for the winners of final races will become local champions and represent their community in the national races at Akron Ohio champion of Albany champion of Cleveland champion of Washington champion of Roanoke champion of the clock [Applause] the new local champ is king in his hometown mother and dad are the first to congratulate the bewildered winner he tells the radio audience it was a tough race the champions will never forget the cheers from the crowd the autographs and the questioning of newspaper reporters and the flashing bulbs of pressed cameras nor will they forget the treasured Nicholas Drive that protein which is presented to every local champion in the country a reminder throughout his life that hard work and perseverance result in success prices for heat winners bicycle football softballs flashlights and other things treasured by boys gold silver and bronze medals for first second and third place winners no boy loses by entering the all-american soapbox derby in competing every entrant expands his personality his sense of honour sincerity sportsmanship ingenuity and Fairplay [Music] sponsoring newspapers and organizations send champions and they're winning cars from every local race in the country to participate in the National all-american soap box derby races at the famous derby down doctrine Ohio [Music] the new champion his parents are given a royal welcome upon their arrival that actress led by an escort of motorcycle police they arrived at the Mayflower Hotel in a special car the champion and his sponsor register their arrival [Music] they visit the all-american soap box derby headquarters in the Mayflower Hotel and are greeted by Myron East Scott originator of the soapbox dirty cut introduces the champion and his sponsor - CJ French of Chevrolet the organization which plays host to all the champ during their stay in Akron [Music] the Derby is a big event over 130 newspapers and national magazines provide complete coverage for the greatest amateur racing event in the world the national headquarters press room is a beehive of activity Western Union installed special wires to handle the Derby story champion from every local race in the nation are here in Derby Tom Napoli a tired face boys uh sure the newly arrived champs to their own private club room spacious lounges in the city's leading hotels are set aside for Champions only games of all type soft drinks sodas of ice cream are there is that a command nothing is too good for a champ [Music] [Music] the food is good and the food is plentiful excitement does not dull the champions appetite surrounded by everything that a boy likes then gets up being too close to the maximum racing weight birthdays are not forgotten even though far from home it's three full days of glory glamour and excitement for the soap box derby champions singing music and entertainment by outstanding juvenile vaudeville performers musicians and magician every boy has a wonderful time [Music] mr. Harvey Firestone entertains the chance at a swimming party [Music] swimming champions give demonstrations of diving techniques the right and wrong way to become a champion in water while the boys are working up an appetite tests are preparing a chicken dinner the champion will never forget the chicken met its match at the banquet given in honor of the champions at a smart country club this ends the round of entertainment enjoyed by the champs during their two-day holiday before the race tomorrow is Derby day tomorrow one of these boys will be the new national champion Derby down the most efficient and beautiful racetrack of its kind in the world this spectacular track accommodates 100,000 spectators and was filled especially for the all-american soapbox derby on top side the elaborate derby sounds repair pits are built and operated by the BF Goodrich company cars are stored here after the boys make their test run and less minute touch-ups here the national contest board checks and rechecks every car against rulebook specifications they also make certain no car has previously won the national championship neither the car nor the boy may twice compete for national honour the cars for the first 20 heats are lined up and carefully garden this is the day of the national finals today we will have a new national champion [Music] the grandstands have been filling since early morning families arrive and make a day of it over 100,000 men and women and children jam into derby downs to witness the greatest amateur racing event in the world the colorful 45-minute pre-race parade streams throws a decorated archway at the top of the hill this is a magnificent parade second in entertainment only to the race itself the special soap box derby float carrying former world victors is followed by the champion each champion is in pole racing costumes regulation racing helmets insurance and each carries an official derby flag inscribed with the name of his hometown [Music] [Music] Boy Scout carrying hundreds of play parade under the triple decks bridge spanning the all-american soap box derby finish line radio men on a national hooker cameramen from all major newsreels ready to record this race for the national championship last-minute instructions are given the crowd moves tensely to the edge of their seat and they're off [Applause] [Music] every 90 seconds The Shining homemade racing cars start down the track every 90 seconds a new heat winner this crowd is so big that thousands of disappointed people who came to see this great annual sport classic were turned away there isn't even standing room left at this unique rating plant the winner of each heat is returned to the hilltop to race with others each winner much in the fashion of the local races the eyes of a newsreel camera show the speed of the derby car kena's bordering the track our time to bloom on race day giving a colorful effect to the finish line area that's the finish line heat signing is recorded in sweat seconds by a photoelectric I system when the leading car breaks the beam this timing device automatically records the exact feed in hundreds of seconds many of the heats are so close that the judges call for a photo finish to determine the winner survey day is packed with activity everything is time to a split second the handling of crowd the parade lining up cards for the heat returning cars to the hilltop all types of work supervised and performed by officials and their assistants many of them with years of Derby experience and now the nationwide radio networks pick up the final race first to be interviewed is Gilbert weekend of San Diego then Jane teenie from Beloit Wisconsin and Richard Zoeller Cleveland Ohio bill downs of CBS broadcast the race the boys are Tenzin excited as they climb into their small car one of these three boys racing in the final heat will be the national champion they're getting ready the second pick off there they go yes ladies and gentlemen this is the supreme moment in the lives of these boys it is the highlight of the national Derby race [Music] [Applause] the car breaks the police lines and barricades they wild the attempt to follow the cars down the track the car in Lane two is ahead lane one fall back lane two and three are neck and neck the car in Lane two is gaining gaining and he is the winner San Diego California cheering enthusiastic milling spectators are held back as the new all-american soap box derby national champion is photographed interviews and speaks over the national network sister mother and father are as excited and thrilled as the newly crowned champion Nicholas Christ at Chevrolet general manager extends his congratulations and presents the national trophy to the winner for newspaper and newsreel pictures the banquet of Champions where the boys seated at the largest speaker's table in the world fathers mothers and friends are here to witness the awards and enjoy the entertainment every entrance receives a diploma and the beautiful wrist one special trophies are awarded for the best design card the best brakes the best upholstered car and for the festive heat in the race these awards are presented by mr. CJ French advertising manager of Chevrolet now for awards to the boys who really made it tough for the national champ Harold Hayes Durham North Carolina fourth place winner James Haney Beloit Wisconsin third place except his glistening trophy richard solar cleveland ohio second-place winner received his award from mr. t HTT chevrolet general sales manager in addition to his trophy young solar receives a beautiful new Chevrolet sedan 14-year old Gilbert we pan of san diego's a new national champion he received many trophies and is also awarded the 4-year college scholarship to any school of his choice by mr. Keith yes here he is champion of champions he won the race and the hearts of the crowd and his fellow champion for Gilbert clickin is a grand example of American boyhood and its best in the all-american soapbox derby all boys gain something equally important knowledge and experience they learn self-reliance and the value of Fortman shift of good clean fun they and thousands of other boys will have equal opportunities to participate in the next and greatest amateur racing event in the world the 10th anniversary year of the all-american soapbox derby [Music]