Apr. 18—Contestants are already building soapbox derbies in preparation for Derby Down Bank, scheduled in June in downtown Decatur.
Casey Hughes is the Derby Down Bank founder and promoter.
“It’s just a fun way to create whimsical, wonderful creations and race them down the course. So, we focus just as much on creativity as we do the engineering and safety aspect of the race,” he said. “The main goal behind this event is to create something that kind of brings the community together.”
Derby Down Bank Street, for all ages, will take place June 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Bank Street. It is the first soapbox derby race of its kind in Decatur.
Hughes said he has put on other events before.
“This one’s been on the backburner, something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I just got linked up with the right amount of people.”
There will be a launch ramp built on Bank Street, Hughes said.
“You have to have a launching platform to get the cars up to speed,” he said. “Essentially, the cars will launch off the ramp and into the racecourse.”
Hughes said there will be three courses and races: a kids’ race, a teen race and an adult race. He said there may be a water feature involved in the race. Hughes said there will be trophies such as fastest time and most creative car/most team spirit. He said they are looking to register about 50 teams altogether.
There will be live music, face painting and shaved ice on the 700 block. Bank Street Grill and 609 Social will provide onsite food the day of the race.
“I’ll say the best part is going to be winning because that also entails the racing,” said soapbox derby team chief Luke Davis, 30. “We are in it not only to have fun — we are in it to win.”
Davis said he has never been in a derby race before but is enthusiastic about it. He is the vice president of Decatur’s Coca-Cola Bottling Co., the head sponsor of the event.
“I’m getting my employees involved to make this really fun, so I nominated someone in our warehouse to be the driver. It’s become just a fun thing to do with employees,” Davis said. “I’m definitely going to try to make this a fun event for our employees to come downtown.”
Davis said his team has a go-kart frame base with steering and tires so far.
“It’ll be a Coca-Cola/Monster Energy base vehicle. I’m not sure of the specifics right now,” he said. “We are working on all the little details that go into it first that makes sure it’s the fastest vehicle out there. The art and the fun will come after that.”
Lenny Londress, 44, will be entering the race as a driver.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “I’ve seen soapbox derbies growing up — saw them on TV or movies — but I’ve never actually been to one.”
Londress said he is getting involved for the sheer fun of it.
“I went ahead and put in for vacation that weekend to make sure I’m off of work,” he said.
Londress said he is planning on using a go-kart base and has an idea of what his car is going to look like.
“It’s kind of a secret,” he said. “I will say most people my age will immediately know what it is.”
The promotional video Hughes put on Facebook shows derby cars made to look like a school bus, a rocket ship, and other creative designs. Londress said he saw the video and wanted to think of something he had never seen before.
“I have a particular movie I grew up watching, and I want to build that,” he said.
—[email protected] or 256-340-2460.
