Anne Taylor, a College of Nursing senior, has been competing in soapbox derbies for more than 10 years.
“A soapbox derby is an international event consisting of gravity powered cars built by the driver and team. Most races are set up in a double elimination bracket,” Taylor said.
Taylor further explained that throughout the competitive season, racers “rally” to accumulate points in hopes of becoming a rally champion and having the opportunity to represent their region at the world championships and nationals.
There are two separate divisions of soap box racing, the “International Soapbox Derby”, and the “National Derby Rallies.”
After watching the soapbox-car-themed movie “Miracle in Lane 2” and talking with her father who was a champion soap box car racer in the 1960s, Taylor began racing at the young age of 10.
“My first race was a complete tragedy. Well, at the time I thought it was. I had crashed into the timing system and was disqualified. But here I am, a decade and numerous crashes later, and I think I made it out okay,” Taylor said.
Taylor said that she had to practice fairly frequently when she was just getting into soapbox racing as there was a lot to learn. In the final years of her career racing came more naturally and she had to practice less.
Since that first race, Taylor has traveled across the United States to compete in hundreds of races. She had competed in at least 125 races since 2009. It became necessary for Taylor to compete frequently to gain the points required for competing in the championships. Through such intense and frequent competitions, Taylor learned the strict science that goes into making a successful soapbox car.
“It’s a formula that, if altered, can cause you to lose a race by 0.001 seconds,” Taylor said.
Most cars come in kits and can take weeks to assemble properly. Taylor described that, while many factors go into making a good car, “essentially it comes down to your ability to get the feel of the track, and be able to drive your line. One bobble or weave creates shear and you’re adding time to the clock.”
Taylor continued racing into her college years, but found it difficult to gain enough points to qualify for nationals. Thus, eventually, she decided to retire.
Even though Taylor has retired, she has left her mark on the sport.
“I’ve served as a role model, and that’s honestly one of the most gratifying feelings. At the end of my last race a woman came up to me crying and saying that what I do for the racing community means so much more than a trophy. The realization that I had that big of an impact on people that I barely knew was probably one of the best moments of my career.”
When it comes to pinpointing a favorite part of the sport, Taylor says she is at a loss.
“It’s hard to come up with something to label as my favorite part. When explaining what soapbox derby is to someone who knows nothing about it, it may seem very … lame. Get in a car, go down a hill. But it’s so much more than that. it’s became part of who I am and how I define myself.”
While Taylor may have retired from her long-loved and formative sport, it is evident that racing will be a part of her identity for the rest of her life.