ST. JOHNS — Dan Matson can't remember how he placed in the Clinton County Soap Box Derby in 1976.

But even 43 years later, he can clearly remember going to school and proudly showing his trophy to friends after the race.

"I didn't win to go to (the national championship in) Akron (Ohio), but I got a trophy," Matson said. "I just remember taking home a small trophy. For a little boy, that was a big thing."

Matson raced in the Soap Box Derby when he was 13, and it was his first and last year racing. Despite its popularity, the derby only ran from 1963 to 1976.

Now, Matson is serving as race director for the resurrected St. Johns Soap Box Derby, which will take place June 16 on Clinton Avenue with up to 32 racers.

He was inspired to bring the race back because he wants to share the same experience with his son as he shared with his father in building the car and participating in the race.

"Kids nowadays, they'd rather stay inside and play video games," Matson said. "I have a 10-year-old boy who I don't see as much as I would like to, and I want to get him involved in something like this that my dad and I did when I was a young boy."

Matson remembers the lone experience fondly, from building his car with his father to pushing his car up French Road to practice.

The race gave him a chance to meet new kids. He lived in the country and got to meet all the kids from the city who built cars.

That resulted in friendships that Matson still has today, including some friends who will have children and grandchildren participate in this year's race.

Matson didn't meet Phil Hanses during the 1976 derby, as far as the two men remember, even though Hanses also raced.

The sheer size of the race is what sticks out most in Hanses' mind.

"I just remember the big crowds and the excitement of it all," he said.

Hanses will also share the experience of the resurrected derby with his son. And his son is 12, the same age Hanses was when he participated in the derby.

Hanses is "absolutely" glad for the chance to share the experience with his son.

"We’ve gotten away from these types of things as a society," he said. "It’s nice to see something where kids can do hands-on things."

And there's a general sense of excitement in the community about the derby coming back, he said.

Hanses is a Westphalia native and said he's heard lots of people talking about it there.

"When it's mentioned over there, people get excited about it," he said.

The derby in St. Johns used to be the third largest in the country — it had 95 racers at its peak and would often attract 5,000 to 7,000 spectators.

As it returns this year, Matson and other organizers say it's the only one in the state. And the International Soap Box Derby lists it as the only local race program in Michigan.

"The last race we know of in Michigan was four years ago in Saginaw," he said.

That means this is the state's first chance in four years to send racers from a local program to compete in the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship Race, which is held in July in Akron, Ohio.

The city will send two racers to the championship — one in the stock class and one in super stock. Sixteen kids and teenagers can participate in each class.

Stock cars are a little smaller, ideal for kids ages 7 to 13. Super-stock cars are slightly bigger and built more for riders ages 9 to 18. There's a third class, but the derby won't have any masters class cars in its first year back.

Though the stock classes are the same as they were 40 years ago, there have been changes to the derby — namely, the cars themselves.

Kids participating in the race used to build their own cars. You can see some of them from back in the day at the AgroLiquid building on M-21.

Now there's an official kit car that all racers buy new or used.

A stock car kit will run you $520 on the All-American Soap Box Derby's online store. A super stock kit is $505. The kits include the shell of the derby car, axles, brake and steering assemblies hardware and instructions and a helmet. You buy the wheels separately — those go for $115 new.

There are used cars available as well as sponsors to help with costs.

Showcasing downtown St. Johns

So far, the race already has its two main sponsors even though the committee planning the derby only just firmed up sponsorship levels, one organizer said. Those levels will be available next week.

Jason Denovich said MAHLE and Bee's Sports have already signed up as the main sponsors. The committee is looking for eight to 10 more and for a sponsor for each of the up to 32 cars, he said.

The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce is helping get the word out to generate more interest — Matson went to a luncheon on Jan. 17 to tell businesses about the derby's revival.

"We're excited that it's coming back," chamber of commerce Executive Director Brenda Terpening said.

She remembers going to watch the race when she was younger and being amazed by the number of people in the community that came together.

Bringing it back "definitely can be" an economic boon for the community, she said, particularly for downtown businesses.

Dan Redman said it provides an opportunity for the city to showcase all the great things in downtown St. Johns.

Redman, executive director of the city's Principal Shopping District and Downtown Development Authority, said there's a lot of interest in the downtown area, including from soap box derby organizers and planners for the county's Relay for Life, which is taking place downtown this year.

"There are a lot of good things happening," Redman said. "We’re excited because (the derby) will attract new people to downtown St. Johns."

Contact reporter Megan Banta (517) 377-1261 or at mbanta@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1