Deadline for entry in 21st Quincy Derby is June 7; officials looking for another 200-car field

QUINCY — The deadline for registration for the Quincy Derby is June 7.

Now in its 21st year, the event formerly known as the Soap Box Derby is scheduled to roll June 13-14 on the 18th Street hill near the Ted Awerkamp Bridge and Bob Mays Park. 

“As it stands now, we’re expecting racers representing at least four states — Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and Kansas,” said Ken Ng, associate director of the derby.

Inspection Day for derby cars is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Midland Paper.

This derby record of 237 cars was established last year. The event has topped 200 entries four times in the last seven years.

Racing starts at 9:30 a.m. June 13 for the Super Kids. The June 14 racing that features the Super Stock, Stock and Master Elite classes is scheduled to begin around 8:30 a.m.

The Super Kids division, which drew 103 entries in 2024 (just shy of the 2019 record of 109), is for racers with intellectual or physical handicaps. It has been well received since its 2015 inception.

Ken Mansell, the former Quincy Notre Dame wrestling coach and a longtime staffer at the Jacksonville School for the Visually Impaired, brought a group of his students to participate in last year’s Super Kids race.

“The kids loved this experience, and they loved being referred to as ‘Super Kids,’” Mansell said after the 2024 derby. “Some of our kids had never been involved in this kind of activity. The Quincy Derby is making a huge impact on these kids’ lives.”

Last year’s derby drew a record 70 participants in the Super Stock class and 54 in the Stock. Ray Wilson, in his 14th year as meet director, said each category has room for more entries.

Ng said both divisions might be slightly down this year because of a large number of kids “aging out” of the competition, designed for participants 6 to 18.

“We’re hoping the loss of the kids who are now too old will be offset by a new wave of younger drivers,” Ng said.

Kalli Mullen of Bluffs, who won the 2024 Super Stock and Masters Elite titles, will be back to defend both of those championships. Elizabeth Boudreau of Quincy, the reigning Stock champion, will not participate in this year’s derby.

Major sponsors of this year’s derby are Quincy Medical Group, Right Rate Roofing, Advanced Dental Care, All of God’s Children, Refreshment Services Pepsi, Titan International and Kunes Honda and Hyundai of Quincy.