In 1998, the Bowling Green Kiwanis Club brought back the Soap Box Derby after a 25-year hiatus, and at the time, it was unclear exactly what kind of buzz the race’s return would generate.

Heading into this weekend’s 10-year anniversary, however, it’s crystal clear that the race has established itself as quite the attraction in Warren County.

&#8220We were quite a surprising race,” coordinator Roger LaPointe said. &#8220Initially when we started brainstorming this whole thing, we weren’t sure if we could get enough kids excited.

&#8220That’s never been a problem at all.”

With the number of participants growing each year, the race quickly catapulted itself to rank as one of the top derby races in the world. With 100 to 115 drivers slated to roll down the hill today at Phil Moore Park, the BB&T All-American Soap Box Derby will enjoy its eighth year as the world’s third-biggest soap box race.

The race will begin at 7 a.m. today and last all day.

&#8220We went into this with no experience,” LaPointe said. &#8220After pulling it off we realized this is the biggest, new all-American race that Akron had ever seen.”

Akron, Ohio, plays host to the All-American Soap Box Derby championships, with drivers qualifying from all over the world to compete for the national championship. The event is broken up into three categories: Stock, Super Stock and Masters.

This year’s race will not feature a Masters division, though it will be resumed next season. LaPointe says that they &#8220wanted to give it a break to increase participation in the other divisions.”

When the race returned in 1998, it was held on the campus of Western Kentucky University, where 77 total drivers raced down what’s now known as Boulevard of Champions.

Now, however, the race is entering its fourth year at Phil Moore Park, its permanent home.

The convenience of not having to do the rigorous setup makes the permanent site &#8220a blessing,” according to LaPointe.

&#8220It sure makes things go a lot smoother,” he said. &#8220I’ve kind of lost track of the time since moving out here. It was great being out at Western, but not having to build the ramp every year and laying out the bails saves a lot of time and energy.”

All proceeds from the event go to help charities geared toward children, which is the goal of the Kiwanis. Groups such as the Boys and Girls Club of Bowling Green, Kids on the Block and Court Appointed Special Advocates, as well as churches and other youth organizations, have benefited from the race.

&#8220All kinds of different groups receive money from us,” LaPointe said. &#8220The Kiwanis, our focus, is children No. 1.”