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Soap Box Derby continues its international expansion
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: May 3, 2018
It’s been more than 80 years since the first official All-American Soap Box Derby took place in Ohio in 1934.
While the first race was held in Dayton, the following year it moved to Akron and it’s continued to draw large crowds to the area ever since.
Operated by the nonprofit International Soap Box Derby (ISBD), the race is just one of the ways the ISBD seeks to fulfill its mission of instilling knowledge and building character in young people in the U.S. and around the world.
The organization also provides STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)-based education curriculum to educators and students, along with middle school and high school races and summer camp programs.
The ISBD’s All-American racing program was already available to those in Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Japan.
Since last fall the Akron-based organization has formed partnerships with two new entities, enabling it to expand its international reach even further.
In early March, ISBD President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Gerberich announced an agreement with International Resource Development (IRD) that will bring ISBD curriculum and racing to students, schools and residents in China.
International Resource Development will operate under the license of “China All-American Soap Box Derby.”
“This is a great opportunity for the International Soap Box Derby to expand into a country that really cares about education and STEM,” said Gerberich.
“It is very exciting for IRD to introduce the Soap Box Derby to China,” IRD President and Chief Executive Officer Kimberly Kirkendall said in a press release. “The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive with a very strong interest in STEM education from China.”
Founded by Kim Kirkendall in Bath Township, Ohio in October 1999, International Resource Development works with companies to develop and improve their operations in China.
Kirkendall, who was raised in Richfield, Ohio, moved to China in 1986 after graduating from The Ohio State University. She spent five years in China before returning to the U.S., attending Beijing Language and Culture University, managing factories and serving as general manager of a company in Hong Kong.
Last year she said Gerberich contacted her to explore the possibility of bringing the organization’s racing and educational programming to China.
“The model is different for China because China’s public schools are focused on teaching to the test, therefore in-class education at public schools is not our market,” Kirkendall said in an email. “Our focus is after school for private, international and enrichment programs.
“In addition, China doesn’t have a volunteer culture in the same way as the U.S. does, so these programs will be offered by for-profit companies and led by employees not volunteers. We need to develop training materials for these organizations as well as adapting the program content.”
Kirkendall said there are other challenges as well.
“Homes in China are typically space limited and are not conducive to parents and students building the cars.
“Therefore we developed a program where the Race Leader would also provide the space and oversight for the children to build the cars as well as to hold the race,” said Kirkendall.
While it’s still early in the process, she said her organization is currently in discussions with companies in Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hangzhou and Suzhou.
The agreement with IRD is not the only win for the ISBD.
Last October, Gerberich said the organization joined forces with Sphere Leadership of Australia to promote racing and help create brand awareness across the continent.
“New Zealand already holds a race and qualifies persons for the All-American race, but this is a partnership that does more than that,” said Gerberich.
Sphere Leadership will operate under the license of the Australian Soap Box Derby.
In an email, Jessica Zerlinda Gnata, founder, owner and director of Sphere Leadership, said the initial steps are underway to create a strategic footprint that will allow gravity races to be held around Australia.
“The Australian Soap Box Derby is excited about building strong relationships with local schools and businesses with the engagement of students in STEM subject matter and creating a fun space where students learn and excel with a license to thrill when racing,” Gnata said in a press release.
“We are excited that Jessica is introducing our mini-car programs and racing in schools throughout the continent,” said Gerberich. “This is a great market for us.”
In the case of both Australia and China, Gerberich said the goal is to have young people qualify to compete in the 2019 All-American Soap Box Derby at Derby Downs in Akron.
“We are excited about the possibility of Chinese racers visiting Akron this summer for the FirstEnergy All-American race so they can gain some knowledge when they race for the first time in 2019,” said Gerberich.