Soapbox Derby Sponsor Opportunity

[Chris]

Hey guys,

I just found out about a really cool opportunity for the club to sponsor and participate in. I'll let the email explain it all:

Hello Chris, not sure if you remember me or not, but I work here at JMU in
Technical services. I am the guy that was taking care of the JMU sponsored
NASCAR race car last year and brought it to your car show, along with my 70
Olds cutlass convertible. I'm not a member of the club, but I do read your
board often and keep up with what you guys are doing. Saw that you are
having a meeting tonight and I wanted to pass on an idea to you guys to see
if you would be interested in this. I have a 13 year old son and we have
been racing in the local soapbox derby for the past 5 years. This is not the
pinewood derby that the boy scouts do, but the large kit cars that you ride
in down a hill. The derby in Waynesboro is the 2nd largest in the world. We
usually race about 190 kids. Last year we were good enough to win the Super
Stock division which qualified us to compete for the World Championships in
Akron Ohio. We had a blast but did not advance to the finals. Anyhow, we are
building a new car this year for the races held in May. I thought I would
just make you guys aware of this event in case you were looking for
something to do as a club that would benefit local kids, especially since it
is racing related. I know that you guys are already gone from JMU by the
time we race, but some ideas that you can consider for the future are to
order a car, have a raffle to get a driver, help him or her build the car,
and crew the car on race day. You could even go out and get sponsors, like I
did, to get involved and help out. It is a wonderful experience for these
kids to be a part of and it helps teach them mechanics, sportsmanship, and
provides competition with a fun atmosphere. We are building a new car this
year because since we won the division last year, that car had to be
retired. I have sent some pictures of our past cars over the years, and the
one that is currently under construction. I also am including the web link
to my photo site so you can view other pictures of some of our racing
events. Now remember, this is just a suggestion in case you guys were
looking for a community type project to get involved with. I have been in
meetings with Harrisonburg business owners and they are interested in trying
to get a race held here in the burg for next year. There are a lot of
logistics, but it looks like it may happen. But feel free to explore this or
ask any questions if you guys are interested. It could be a real rewarding
experience. Also, if you send 2 decals my way, I will place your Madison
motorsports decals on our current racer, for some free exposure. We have
been currently sponsored by my friend Brant, who owns Virginia Classic
Mustang Supply in Broadway. I know some of you guys know him through rally
events. Anyhow, just something to think about. Here are some links if you
care to view.
Regards,
Darren Drury

My photo page <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://imageevent.com/ded43">http://imageevent.com/ded43</a><!-- m -->

Soapbox Derby web page <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://aasbd.com/">http://aasbd.com/</a><!-- m -->

Web page for our race in Waynesboro <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.brsoapbox.com/">http://www.brsoapbox.com/</a><!-- m -->

Pictures:


















Think about this opportunity and let me know if this is something you guys would like to help with and fundraise for. Thayer may be more responsible for getting this going as I will be graduating soon. I think it would be a cool way for us to help the community, get our name out, and see another side of racing.

[JohnC]

I think this would be downright awesome.

[Mike]

i brought it up at a meeting last year, but funds were a bit more scarce than they are now and it didn't seem to go over well. however, now that the account is flourishing and the club could use more activities around jmu to keep busy with, getting involved in the community like this would be an awesome idea.

can you get an idea what a complete car costs?

[Ginger]

Lets do it!

I raced Soapbox on Capitol Hill as a kid, nearly went to Akron, myself. It was the most fun I'd ever had as a kid and I learned some important lessons. Getting into the activity as a kid is how you learn that a 14mm bolt is not 14 because that's the socket you used it install it, and what an alignment really is, and all this really awsome stuff for a 13 year old to know.

They could probably use at least 2 MM'ers at the event itself to help out. There's a lot of waiting involved on race day but when it's time for your heat the more people you have the better. Do we have scales they could use?

I can't think of anything else offhand that they could use us for - other ideas?

[Ginger]

You're looking at ~$515 for a stock kit + wheels. $525 for super stock. And $635 for a masters kit.... which they're apparently calling Scottie these days. The higher the level the more freedom as competitor has in building his car, if Scottie is like I remember Masters to be you can go so far as to steam and free-form your own design.

Those costs are mostly just starting points. They supply the basic materials to get started. Between the club members we've probably got all the tools and other accessories... it's very easy to end up spending more than that, though.

*edit* max. age for entrants is 17. Do any MM'ers have kids? It would be super cool to field an mm driver car :-D

[ScottyB]

this is sweet. if i couldn't physically help out, i'd at least be happy to donate some money.

[Mike]

yeah, money wouldn't be an issue, manpower would be. we'd need to set up a team of volunteers (maybe 2 or 3) dedicated to it. other people could help up, but this people would have to really be attentive to the project.

no, no MM'rs have any kids who will be the first though? race race!

[.RJ]

This sounds like an awesome idea.

I'm sure we can find a way to build a cheatin' bastard soapbox painted with MM's on the side to roll the field

[Kaan]

I put .RJ and i in charge of reading the rules and finding ways to cheat!

i'll also throw some money at it IF we come to a concensus that we want to do this.

hell we could raffle the drivers seat for a season or a certain number of races at the car show... to help bring more people to the show, more cars to the show... etc.

[white_2kgt]

You're looking at ~$515 for a stock kit + wheels. $525 for super stock. And $635 for a masters kit.... which they're apparently calling Scottie these days. The higher the level the more freedom as competitor has in building his car, if Scottie is like I remember Masters to be you can go so far as to steam and free-form your own design.

Those costs are mostly just starting points. They supply the basic materials to get started. Between the club members we've probably got all the tools and other accessories... it's very easy to end up spending more than that, though.

*edit* max. age for entrants is 17. Do any MM'ers have kids? It would be super cool to field an mm driver car :-D

kit??!?!? kit?!?!?! build it from scratch! fiberglassing ain't that hard.

--chad

[Ginger]

We could do a masters car - it would be fun as chit.

[Mike]

i'll also throw some money at it IF we come to a concensus that we want to do this.

as opposed to throwing money at it if they decide to not do it? remind me to punch you in the d next time i see you

[Kaan]

bring it skinny man!

[Mike]

bumpity bump! anyone talk to darren about total cost?

[G.Irish]

kit??!?!? kit?!?!?! build it from scratch! fiberglassing ain't that hard.

--chad

Fiberglass?! Carbon fiber fool! Pete's done a carbon fiber chassis before...

[Mike]

hehe we'd create the most blingin' kid in the 'burg!