EDITORIAL: Up at the Downs: The Soap Box Derby enjoys the ride.(Editorial)

Jul. 21--Wayne Alley, longtime fixture at the All-American Soap Box Derby, should happily be eating his 1987 prediction: Soap box racing "won't ever come back as big as it once was." Indeed, for an event absolutely tied to the power of gravity, the All-American Soap Box Derby is rising. The past several years, the race has been attracting more participants. At 518, this year's roster nearly doubles the previous record, set in 1971, of 272. The positive energy exuded at Derby Downs has several sources. Goodyear deserves a great deal of credit for stepping in as the major sponsor in 1998. With that high level of continuing corporate support, other sponsors have come on …