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In 1980 the Vietnam Veterans
of America Chapter #34 had a community
project and their undertaking was to assist
with the local Akron Soap Box Derby. A
veteran named Dave Mitan was working with
the racers when he felt a tug on his shirt.
Turning around to look who was trying to get
his attention, he saw a special needs child
next to a brother competing in the event.
That small child asked, "Why can't I do
that?" Dave's heart was so moved and his
spirit so touched that he began discussing
the experience with member veterans. The
Chapter immediately met with the
All-American Soap Box Derby, designed and
built the cars. In 1981, the first Super
Kids Classic was held in Akron, Ohio, and
indeed on the same hill used by the
All-American Soap Box Derby.
Although the founding veterans maintained
troublesome moments and disabilities from
their own war experiences, they were
overcome by these special children's smiling
faces, positive attitude, and desire to
compete. These wonderful kids were indeed
"Super Kids" and thus the race was named the
Super Kids Classic.
In the years that followed
and as the Akron veterans traveled around
the country, they shared their "Super Kids"
experience, detailed the project, gave
advice, and passed out handbooks including
blueprints for the cars. At the Vietnam
Veterans of America National Convention in
1989, a resolution was passed to allow local
chapters across the nation to hold races in
their local communities.
The local Super Kids Classic
committee participants and board members,
while working on the annual event year after
year, also had a much bigger dream - a
national race in which youngsters who were
not able to participate in the All-American
Soap Box Derby race could experience a race
of their own. On August 9, 2003, the
National Super Kids Classic in Akron, Ohio
became a reality. The same hill, the home of
the All-American Soap Box Derby, known as
Derby Downs, became the home of the National
Super Kids Classic.
A very sincere thank you to
all persons who made the event possible.
Just as important, the long hours afforded
and contributions made are greatly
appreciated and will be long remembered.
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