On the Soap Box

If you've got nothing to do this weekend, head down to Fifth Avenue to catch the 8th annual Greater Youngstown Area Soap Box Derby. Starting at 8:30 a.m., racers will roll down the hill in front of YSU stadium in a double elimination tournament. The winner gets a trip to Derby Downs in Akron for a chance at the national title.

If you know nothing about soapbox derbys (which I don't), this is something interesting to take with you:

Each heat begins with what is called a "two for four wheel draw". Four balls that have been labeled to match the wheels of the cars are placed in a bucket and each driver picks two. They then must switch the corresponding wheels with each other. For example if driver A picks the balls that say "front right wheel" and "back left wheel" those wheels from drive A's car must be given to driver B and put on his car. Then they race down 900 feet of track, drag the cars back up by themselves, switch all four wheels and race again. The competition is double elimination so that every driver is guaranteed four trips down the track.

More information: Greater Youngstown Area Soapbox Derby

Source: Drivers are ready to roll for 8th annual soap box derby