The Daily Alaska Empire

SOAP BOX DERBY IS SUSPENDED: WORD RECEIVED

The Soap Box Derby, the "greatest amateur racing event in the World," has been suspended for 1942. This is according to word received here by Juneau's 1941 Soap Box Derby Champion Jerry Chapman from J. P. Gormley, of the Chevrolet Motor Division, General Motors Sales Corporation, sponsors of the race at Akron, Ohio.

Jerry's letter from Mr. Gormley, is as follows:

Detroit, Michigan, December 15, 1941.

Dear Champion: Because of conditions now prevailing, it has been decided to suspend the Soap Box Derby for 1942. We will review the matter again in the fall of 1942, and, if conditions at that time warrant, we will, with your cooperation, resume this great boys' activity.

We regret, like everyone else, the necessity for this decision but we are sure that the reasons are perfectly obvious to you—first, the emergency at hand will require the energies of every one of us to bring it to a successful conclusion; second, the inability of the wheel manufacturers to secure the needed materials to complete the wheel sets, these metals being required elsewhere; third, the need for conserving the rubber supply.

It is our sincere hope that we can count on your wholehearted assistance and support with the resumption of the program at a later date, because of its fine contribution to the youth of America.

Sincerely yours,
J. P. Gormley,
All-American Soap Box Derby.

BUY DEFENSE STAMPS