Soap box derby in northeast Ohio expects to turn profit

AKRON, Ohio - Organizers of the All-American Soap Box Derby in northeast Ohio say the youth racing organization is expected to have a profit of roughly $35,000 for the year that ended in September, once paperwork is finalized.

President Joe Mazur tells the Akron Beacon Journal the organization's struggling financial picture is looking better.

Organizers have been working to rebuild the organization's popularity and its financial footing since 2010, when its economic troubles led to a fundraising campaign that helped it clear $152,000. The derby lost $111,000 the following year as donations decreased.

Mazur took over in mid-2011 and is aiming to expand the number of race cities from the existing 123 to more than 200 in five years. He's also increased focus on education and expanded memorabilia sales opportunities.