May 13, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Thirty-six youngsters ages 8 to 17  will race on Saturday, May 21, as they compete in the 9th Annual Drew Ford/Kiwanis Club of La Mesa Soap Box Derby.

The race cars, which are built from kits, achieve 24 mph as the roll down Junior High Drive adjacent to Highwood Park and La Mesa Middle School.

The double-elimination races get underway about 9 am and continue until about 3 pm with trophy presentations.  Winners of the two divisions — stock and superstock — in this derby are sent by the club to Akron, Ohio, to compete in the National All-American Soap Box Derby in July.