Greater Dayton Soap Box Derby Junior Champion poses with his car, c. 1983…

In 1983, the soap box derby celebrated its 50th anniversary in Dayton. Over those first few decades, many changes had occurred to the race. In 1946, the color barrier was broken and by 1971, the race had expanded regulations to allow young girls the opportunity to compete as well. Twenty-five area youngsters completed in two divisions during the 1983 season; all of them vying for the city title on the Area B Acceleration Ramp derby track at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. In the Junior Division, driving car number 81, 11 year-old Steve Toller won the city junior championship title. Captured in a candid moment, this image shows Toller posing by his winning racer. This photograph is from the Image Collection at Dayton History.

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