TBC sponsors Soap Box Derby museum

July 17, 2012

The TBC Retail Group is host sponsor of the Hall of Fame and Museum at the 75th First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, this week.

To celebrate the legacy of the youth racing program’s milestone anniversary, Soap Box Derby officials have created a permanent exhibit in an operations building in the Topside area of Derby Downs. The exhibit features more than 75 of the gravity-powered race cars that have won world championship titles in previous races.

Over the years, some of the cars had been on display during race week, then went back into storage with other winning racers at Derby Downs and off-site.

The exhibit also includes plaques with portraits of each of the world champions over the years, as well as the 52 inductees into the All-American Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame.

“Our new Hall of Fame and Museum enables us to showcase the rich heritage of Soap Box Derby racing on a year-round basis,” says Joe Mazur, CEO and president of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby. “We hope to continuously add to the museum by encouraging contributions of Soap Box Derby memorabilia from race participants, volunteers and Derby fans.”

Mazur says that former world champions have been invited to a reception and private showing at the museum on Friday, July 20, the evening before the race.

“We are extremely grateful to TBC for its generous support of the Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as the world champions’ reception, during this historically significant racing season. It will be exciting to see many of the world champs re-united with their winning cars for the first time in many years.”

Orland Wolford, CEO and president of the TBC Retail Group, adds that the sponsorship helps "honor the legacy of a program which has built strong character and family values for generations.”

More than 420 boys and girls will compete in the 2012 FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby on Saturday, July 21, at Derby Downs.

For more information about the Soap Box Derby, visit www.aasbd.org for additional information and for a live webcast of the championships on race day.

The TBC Retail Group oversees 924 independent tire stores in the United States.