Soap Box Derby is an annual tradition

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The annual Soap Box Derby was off and running in West Lafayette Saturday morning.

These races started back in the 1930s and organizers said Greater Lafayette has a long-standing tradition of this sport. Families participate together, using a kit to assemble their soap box.

Race track director Dan Altepeter said winning the race is no easy task.

"The alignment of the car is extremely important and the skill of the driver is extremely important. The way we run it is, with an awful lot of luck you can prevail," said Altepeter.

Drivers range in age from seven to 16 years old. Winners will go on to compete in the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio at the end of July.

Altepeter said Greater Lafayette holds one race every year but racers would like to see more. Altepeter said the derby would like to see Lafayette get a permanent soap box derby track so they could hold more races.

"If we get that permanent track, we would have four or five, or six races every summer. Kids and families from communities all around from several states would race for an entire weekend. So what it would do for Lafayette is bring tourism," Altepeter explained.