All-American Soap Box Derby Comes to Greenwich

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:44:05 GMT

Greenwich, CT
203-531-3047
Sports

VIVAPOP ALL-AMERICAN SOAP BOX DERBY PRESENTED BY MILLER MOTORCARS COMES TO GREENWICH

To Benefit United Way of Greenwich

September 14, 2008

World’s Greatest Amateur Youth Racing Series returns to Greenwich after 23 years

Greenwich, CT, June 11, 2008 – The premier youth and family oriented racing program in the United States comes to Greenwich as the Soap Box Derby speeds into town on September 14. Twenty-four local boys and girls are expected to compete in their gravity-powered cars for a chance to win the All-American Soap Box Derby, sponsored by VivaPop of Greenwich and presented by Miller Motorcars. The last Soap Box Derby that took place in Greenwich was in 1985. The event will benefit United Way of Greenwich in celebration of its 75^th anniversary. The race will begin at Greenwich Avenue at Havemeyer Place, at 9:30 a.m., in front of Starbucks, and finish at Railroad Avenue, approximately two hours later, culminating with “Septemberfest,” the anniversary celebration for United Way of Greenwich, 12:30 to 4 p.m., at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.

Each driver will represent one of 24 charity partners of United Way of Greenwich. Youngsters will compete in one division, Super Stock, for drivers aged 10 to 17 with a 230 lb. weight limit for the car and driver. Super Stock racers build large model cars made from large kits and shells. In the VivaPop All-American Soap Box Derby, no child will have to pay for a car kit. Corporate sponsors are covering the costs of the 24 cars. In competition, a Derby car can reach speeds upwards of 30 miles per hour depending on the angle of the race course.

“We are pleased to bring back this unique sporting event to Greenwich and at the same time, support the efforts of United Way,” said Elizabeth Tarbell, VivaPop founder and CEO. “The Soap Box Derby promises to be a fun activity for the children and their families and generate great enthusiasm throughout the community.” Miller Motorcars’ General Manager Michael Parchment is also looking forward to the company’s involvement and lending their expertise in sports cars to the event. “We’re excited about being part of this incredible event and helping the youngsters with their cars.” In July, Miller Motorcars will be hosting special car clinics to assist the drivers in building their cars at its dealership on West Putnam Avenue.

About the All-American Soap Box Derby

It’s been called everything from the “Greatest Amateur Racing Event in the World,” to the “Gravity Grand Prix,” but to the more than one million kids who have been participating in the Soap Box Derby during the past 75 years, the event spells fun. Akron, Ohio-headquartered All-American Soap Box Derby, founded in 1933, is one of the most established grassroots youth and family organizations in the United States. An official youth initiative of NASCAR, the All-American Soap Box Derby sanctions races year round in 170 cites and communities in the U.S. and overseas. In the past 10 years, overall race participation (ages 8-17) has doubled, with approximately 45 percent being girls. The All-American Soap Box Derby actively promotes the core values of teamwork, the spirit of competition, perseverance and an emphasis on family.

About VivaPop

VivaPop of Greenwich is a business to business and business to community

organization that utilizes powerful new media tools and personal contacts to help businesses and not-for-profits. VivaPop is an extended marketing and public relations department, giving businesses and not-for-profits a cost effective way to gain new customers. Simply put, VivaPop is the fastest, most efficient way to gain new business and members. Thousands of users visit Vivapop.com to find out what is happening in Greenwich. VivaPop also offers Greenwich citizens the ability to add programs and events to their personal calendars from its huge selection of Greenwich organizations.

About Miller Motorcars

Located at 273-348 West Putnam Avenue, US Route 1, in Greenwich, Miller Motorcars is the only factory authorized dealership for Alfa 8C Competizione, Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, Maserati, and Rolls-Royce in Connecticut. Miller Motorcars also carries an extensive inventory of preowned sports cars listed on its website, www.millermotorcars.com. What makes Miller Motorcars unique is its clubhouse atmosphere where customers stop by after a morning drive, pour themselves a cup of coffee, and talk about their cars and experiences. Miller Motorcars prides itself as it has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of dealerships in its class in North America.

About United Way

Over the years, the United Way has become the leading health and human service organization in Greenwich. Now celebrating 75 years, the United Way of Greenwich is a network of agencies, hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of donors, that can assess and respond to community needs, helping people of all ages and backgrounds. United Way of Greenwich mobilizes the community in strategic efforts to identify and address critical human services needs. United Way of Greenwich is the largest non-government source of funding for local health and human service programs in Greenwich. The organization achieves measurable and sustainable results through comprehensive planning, efficient fundraising, and effective investment in the community.

United Way wishes to thank VivaPop and Miller Motorcars and the following additional sponsors for making the Derby possible: FieldPoint Custom Homes, Nestle Waters, North America, RBS Sempra Commodities, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich Magazine and AM1490 WGCH. Also instrumental to the event are the following members of the VivaPop All-American Soap Box Derby Advisory Board: Jack and Jonathan Moffly of Moffly Publications and Stanley Thal, race director of 1984 and 1985 Derby in Greenwich. For more information, visit www.Greenwichsoapboxderby.com.

TMK RSS Feed

All-American Soap Box Derby Comes to Greenwich

About the All-American Soap Box Derby