Twenty-two Alabama churches from across the state sent their Royal Ambasssadors (RAs) racing through the streets of Montgomery Oct. 19 during the RA State Soapbox Derby, conducted in front of the state capitol.
Now in its third year, the derby attracted more than 120 drivers for 32 cars, including RAs in grades 1 through 6, youth and even adults. It also drew a crowd of more than 300, as fathers, mothers, grandparents and friends lined up to watch and cheer.
The goals of the derby reach far beyond seeing who makes it across the finish line first. Organizers hope it will spark interest in RAs and encourage year-round participation. It also is designed to bring fathers and sons together in a project that both find interesting. “Dads are really the ones latching onto the idea,” said Steve Stephens, RA consultant for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
The state soapbox derby is the brainchild of Alice Dempsey, who has been involved in RAs for 35 years, having served as director for her local church and association. Alice and her husband, Max, have a grown son. They are members of Mount Hebron West Baptist Church in Elmore.
“I wanted the boys to have something that was different — something they can work on with their fathers — although moms get involved, too,” Alice Dempsey said.
She set her husband, a woodworking hobbyist, to constructing a frame and steering mechanism that could be used to make the cars.
Since then Max Dempsey has put together frames for more than 50 cars, which he offers to RAs and churches for a nominal fee. The RAs take those frames and construct bodies, making their own personal cars.
“He enjoys doing it,” Alice Dempsey says.
By offering the frame and steering mechanism already assembled, the Dempseys help keep the cars affordable, which is an important factor. Derby rules limit spending on a car to $150 the first year. An additional $100 may be invested in the car the second year, capped at $250 per car. About half of the cars in the derby this year were assembled this way, according to Stephens, who noted the idea is for the fathers or other adults to help construct the frame while the boy decorates the body.
The kit offered by the Dempseys includes a steering wheel with the RA emblem, but RAs must finish the body of the car. They can use any material — wood, plastic, tin, even cardboard — in “whatever style they want,” Alice Dempsey said. Organizers encourage the use of recycled parts.
After a couple years’ experience, enthusiasts are learning how to make better cars, modifying wheels and making other improvements, Stephens said. “Coming and watching and knowing what to do with your car does make a difference.” Stephens himself has done a few midnight trial runs in preparation.
But winning cars and trophies by themselves seem to be a small part of the rewards. “It’s something a little boy takes pride in when he’s made it himself,” Alice Dempsey noted. “They love it. Even the mothers love it.” Grandmothers do, too, Alice Dempsey realized, after several became her volunteer helpers.
More than 90 first-place through third-place trophies were awarded in several categories and divisions, including fastest car, greatest distance achieved, best-looking car, most unique looking car, timed obstacle course, new car and pre-car. A “Best of Race” trophy was awarded to Eastmont Baptist Church, Montgomery, for its crowd participation. Eastmont was represented by 127 people in attendance and 27 RA boys who raced three cars.
They also turned it into more than just a fun event for themselves. Eastmont’s second- and third-grade RAs sold sausage biscuits and juice at the site from 9 a.m. registration until 3 p.m., when the blocked-off street was turned back over to the city for traffic.
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