Salem hosted the NDR Nationals in 2001.  Racers from all over the country met in Salem, Oregon to compete for the championship.

The Championships took place June 30 - July 6, 2001.

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For Immediate Release
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September 20th 2000 National Derby Rallies, Inc., organizing body for the national soap box derby rally program recently announced that Salem, Oregon will host the 2001 NDR National Championship races from July 1 through July 7. The race will occur in Bush’s Pasture Park in downtown Salem on the soon to be resurfaced permanent derby track. This is the first time the National Championships will have been held on the Pacific Coast. Columbia River Soap Box Derby Association, the soap box derby organizing body for the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area will be assisting Salem in organizing this event.

The National Championship race is expected to include 150 racers between the ages of 7 and 21 from across the country and Canada who will qualify as either one of the eight top points earners in their division, placing in the top three in their division at a regional qualifying championship race, or through open qualifying during the first three days of the event. The 2000 National Championships were held in Saginaw, Michigan and past race sites include Omaha, Nebraska, and Indianapolis, Indiana.

The first day’s event will include a challenger division race for handicapped children utilizing modified cars. Open qualifying for the championships will occur on Tuesday through Thursday of the week and the finals will be on Friday and Saturday, July 6 and 7. Approximately $10,000.00 in trophies, shirts, jackets, and other prizes are expected to be provided in what many believe to be the most competitive soap box derby event in the world. Many special social and recreational events are being organized for the 700 family members expected for this event.

Event organizer Bill Ebner reports “This is a great honor for Oregon to host this prestigious event and expose the nation’s best racers to what has long been a tradition of extremely competitive soap box derby racing in the Northwest. We have heard from numerous families that are already planning their Oregon vacations for the first week in July”.

The Salem Soap Box Derby Association, and the Columbia Soap Box Derby Association (the Portland area organizing group) are recognized charitable organizations and are working together to fund and plan the event. The groups are currently seeking sponsors for this event.

In June 2001 Salem will celebrate its 50th consecutive year of racing with plans for, among other things, a derby museum and historic display.

For more information contact either Bill Ebner, David Gibson, and or the Salem Soap Box Derby Association at the above numbers.