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Five drivers and nine support staff members travel to Akron with support from sponsors
By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, Jul 25, 2008
Jurgen Sucksdorff is an architect by trade — not a psychologist.
Nevertheless, he has figured out how to keep his wife happy while he travels in his time-consuming role as president of the German International Soap Box Derby.
He bought Monique Sucksdorff a set of golf clubs.
Now, she is so focused on her golf game that she doesn't mind that her husband is 4,200 miles away helping kids with their derby cars.
''My wife just says, 'You make soap box derby cars, I play golf, and everybody is happy,' '' Sucksdorff said. ''Golf is really taking off in Germany — there are about 20 new courses in Berlin over the last five years — and she loves to play golf.
''So she's happy with what she's doing and I'm happy with what I'm doing.''
The German contingent in Akron for Saturday's All-American Soap Box Derby has five racers and nine other support people.
That's the most racers and individuals who have come to Akron for a race since Sucksdorff started the International German Soap Box Derby program 20 years ago. He usually brings about 10 individuals, including three or four racers, to Akron.
''Soap box derby racing is really growing in Germany and the interest is the highest that it's ever been,'' said Sucksdorff, who raced in the All-American in 1952. ''We have races in more than 20 towns and we have more than 200 drivers competing.
''Parents realize that it's better for the children to have them building cars and not just playing on the computer or watching television.
''All of the winners come to the Berlin International Championship and the winners in Berlin come to Akron.''
Soap box derby racing in Germany is not an inexpensive venture.
Sucksdorff said the International German Soap Box Derby paid the All-American $18,000 this year for 31 car kits. It also had to pay $8,000 in shipping and German taxes to get the car kits from Akron to Berlin.
Then there was the $5,000 expense to ship to Akron the two huge boxes with the five cars racing in the All-American.
And it cost nearly $30,000 for airline tickets to fly the 14-person group from Berlin to Newark to Cleveland. The airline tickets also include legs to Las Vegas, New York and a return flight to Berlin.
''We are very fortunate to have some wonderful sponsors who help with the expenses,'' Sucksdorff said. ''Berlin Volksbank, Citibank of Berlin, Hoffner Furniture, Gesundbrunnen Mail Center and Domane Hardware Store are our biggest supporters.''
Sucksdorff, 69, said he plans to continue running the International German Soap Box Derby program for another five years.
''Then it will be time to focus on my grandchildren,'' he said.
Derby veteran
It's a good bet nobody has had a longer association with the All-American than retired Firestone publicist Frank ''Whitey'' Wahl, 87.
He competed in the first Akron local race at Derby Downs in 1936 and is now approaching his 70th All-American as a fan or official.
Wahl was the official flagman at the finish line from 1951 through 1964 and still is director of champions, a position he has held since 1965. He was a founding father of the board directors and is still on the board.
He's one of the most recognized figures at Derby Downs Topside. ''I always have a great time at the derby,'' Wahl said. ''So why would I want to stop coming?''
Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.
Jurgen Sucksdorff is an architect by trade — not a psychologist.
Get the full article here.
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