AKRON, Ohio - The 80th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby will be Saturday, July 22, at Derby Downs.

The derby culminates weeklong festivities, with hundreds of racers and their families coming in from all over the country and several countries. Racers compete in stock, super stock and masters divisions, racing down the 989-foot hill in gravity-controlled cars.

Usually, races are held the third week of July, though in 2016 the derby was moved to July 16 so as not to conflict with the Republican National Convention. It takes 300 to 1,000 volunteers to help coordinate the annual summer event.

The inaugural races were held in Dayton in 1934 and 1935 before the shift to Akron. Like many sporting and other events, it took a hiatus during World War II.

About the derby

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