MOSS POINT—The All-American Soap Box Derby youth gravity racing program has been operating since 1934, and the only way residents of Mississippi can get to the current International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, is through Moss Point.
Of the nearly 100 race cities, Moss Point is the only race city in Mississippi and the next closest races are in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. The 2026 race in Moss Point is set for April 11, and registration is open now.
This year’s international race will be the 88th race with Moss Point advancing racers to that level for 33 years. Started as the Magnolia State Soap Box Derby, it was renamed in memory of its founder, Deborah Washington, after she lost her battle to breast cancer. The Deborah Washington Memorial Soap Box Derby is run every spring on Main Street in Moss Point with as many as four divisions of racers and features second generation racers.
Sarah Busby of Moss Point married into a soap box family that has been involved in the race for more than 30 years. Her husband, Garrett, and his father, Terry, along with his two brothers were longtime racers and even made trips to Ohio for the international race. In 2025, the Busby story came full circle as Garrett’s daughter, Adeline, won the local stock division race in the same car run by her dad in 1999.
“The Busby family has assisted many children in building race cars over the year, but there was nothing that made them more proud than when Adeline followed in Garrett’s footsteps 26 years later,” Mrs. Busby said, smiling. “Adeline worked closely with her dad and grandfather to focus on steering, staying still, not being scared, and completing the races without hesitation.”
The family coaching may not have afforded them any competition wins in Akron, but the experience taught increased her confidence and taught her that she must work hard at something to succeed.
“They both got special time with dad/grandfather that they will cherish forever,” she added. “The local Moss Point race isn’t just a soap box experience for our children, it’s creating lifelong friendships and memories and helping children learn valuable lessons.”
In Moss Point, the event started with only a stock car division but began adding divisions as interest grew. A super stock division and a master division were added over the thirty-plus years of its existence, but the fan favorite division is the super kids division that features two-seater cars with one experienced driver and a racer with special needs.
Chevron Pascagoula Refinery is the annual sponsor of the local race and provides funding to send winners of each division to Ohio with a financial stipend, and volunteers with Moss Point Active Citizens serve as race organizers.
Dr. Bob Donald has been involved with the soap box race in Moss Point since the late 1990s when his two boys raced. He has continued to volunteer with MPAC and the race even though his children are professional adults working and living on the east or west coasts.
“Our love of racing started in scouts with the Pinewood Derby and just moved to soap box racing,” Dr. Donald said. “The racing experiences provided great opportunities for us to work together for a common goal, and I hope to provide this opportunity to more parents and children through the local race.”
Moss Point Active Citizens provides some stock, super stock and super kids cars that can be loaned for racing. To purchase cars or for more information about the soap box racing programs, visit the international site. Families interested in utilizing a loaner car should register here! Cars are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Racers must be between the ages of 7 and 21.
