The DC Traveler » soap-box-derby http://www.thedctraveler.com A Washington DC insider’s travel guide that’s full of area information for both tourists and residents. Covers area attractions, activities, events, nightlife, memorials and monuments, historic sites, museums, the Smithsonian, site see Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:17:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 A Race by Act of Congress http://www.thedctraveler.com/2008/06/a-race-by-act-of-congress/ http://www.thedctraveler.com/2008/06/a-race-by-act-of-congress/#comments Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:48:56 +0000 http://www.thedctraveler.com/a-race-by-act-of-congress/ Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> And no, I’m not talking about the Presidential race, but the 70th annual running of the Washington, DC Soap Box Derby Race.

In 1938, Norman Rocca beat 223 other racers to win the first Soap Box Derby Race held in Washington, DC.  The race was held on New Hampshire Avenue, but later moved to run down Capitol Hill, along the Capitol Building on Constitution Avenue. Soap Box Derby in Washington DC, withthe Capitol Building in background

The Soap Box Derby is open to racers aged 8 to 17, who custom build and race non-motorized, gravity powered cars. Regional winners move on to the annual classic race in Akron in late July.

Soap Box Derby Racers - side by sideSoap Box Derby - Atlanta

Every year, the race requires the permission of Congress to block off the course so, by Act of Congress, the race is one of the only races sanctioned by Congress.

Soap Box Derby
Constitution Avenue at the Capitol between 1st and Louisiana Ave.
Washington, DC (map it)

Soap box derby - yellow car  Date and Time – Sunday, June 22, 2008 – 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tickets – FREE – no tickets required for spectators.

Nearest Metro subway station - Federal Center – Blue and Orange lines, Archives – Yellow and Green lines, Union Station – Red line

Parking – Limited street parking is available.

Images – racers with capitol in background, Atlanta race, yellow car, racers side by side

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Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> http://www.thedctraveler.com/2008/06/a-race-by-act-of-congress/feed/ 1 Soap Box Derby on the Most Powerful Hill http://www.thedctraveler.com/2007/06/soap-box-derby-on-the-most-powerful-hill/ http://www.thedctraveler.com/2007/06/soap-box-derby-on-the-most-powerful-hill/#comments Thu, 14 Jun 2007 08:50:00 +0000 http://www.thedctraveler.com/soap-box-derby-on-the-most-powerful-hill/ Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> It’s a timeless annual classic – the Soap Box Derby. Kids from 8 to 17 race non-motorized, hand-built cars powered only by gravity, down Constitution Avenue from the top of Capitol Hill.

Have fun watching these speed demons in three divisions, make use of the most powerful hill in the U.S. – Capitol Hill. DC winners get to attend the All American race in Akron, Ohio in July.

Derby Cars Derby Driver

Soap Box Derby
Constitution Avenue at the Capitol between 1st and Louisiana Ave.
Washington, DC

Date and Time – Saturday, June 16th – 8:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Tickets – no tickets required

Nearest Metro subway station - Federal Center – Blue and Orange lines, Archives – Yellow and Green lines, Union Station – Red line

Parking – Street parking is available but often limited.

Photos: Flickr

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Post from: The DC Traveler

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