NH & Maine Racers Shine at Soap Box Derby World Championships

Eleven racers from New Hampshire made the trip to Akron, Ohio this past week to compete in the 88th Annual All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships, and they didn't just represent the Granite State... they turned in some incredible performances against the best young racers in the country.

Before Saturday's championship races, New Hampshire celebrated two podium finishes during the week's Challenge Races.

Chloe Laughton of Rochester captured 3rd place in the Rally Masters Challenge, while JJ Carbone of Dover earned an impressive 2nd place finish in the Local Masters Challenge.

Credit: New Hampshire Soap Box Derby via Facebook

Then came Championship Saturday.

Leading the way was Trevor Behan, who raced to an outstanding 2nd-place finish in the Local Super Stock World Championship, narrowly missing a world title.

Several other local racers also earned Top 10 finishes:

🏁 Raegan Lincoln of Houlton, Maine finished 6th in the Local Stock World Championship.
🏁 Aiden Cyr, the Region X Rally Stock Champion, placed 7th in the All-American Soap Box Derby Rally Stock World Championship.
🏁 Finn Horan, the Rally Masters Champion, finished 8th in the Rally Masters World Championship.

Maybe that's what I love most about the Soap Box Derby. For a few minutes, the notifications stop, the phones stay tucked away, and kids get to experience something real. They work hard, cheer each other on, overcome nerves, and trust nothing but gravity and the work they've put in to carry them to the finish line. In an age dominated by screens, it's encouraging to see so many kids making their presence known the old-fashioned way—with grit, determination, and a little courage.

Competing at the All-American Soap Box Derby is an accomplishment by itself. Drivers qualify by winning their local races, earning the chance to compete against champions from across the United States and several international programs. Making the Top 10—or standing on the podium—at the World Championships is an incredible achievement.

Congratulations to Trevor Behan, Chloe Laughton, JJ Carbone, Raegan Lincoln, Finn Horan, Aiden Cyr, and every racer who represented New Hampshire and New England in Akron this week.

The future of Soap Box Derby racing in our region is looking incredibly bright.

For photos, race results, and updates from Derby Week, visit the New Hampshire Soap Box Derby Facebook page and the All-American Soap Box Derby website.