It all started in a Gavras Center waiting room in the mid 1990s with a Sports Illustrated article.

That's when Steve Komanecky, race director for the Soap Box Derby held every spring in Auburn, happened upon a story that asked the question, “Whatever happened to the Soap Box Derby?” The question intrigued Komanecky, so he contacted a person mentioned in the article to find out how to get a race revived in Auburn.

Komanecky admitted he sat on the idea for a few years, but with Art Wenzel and Mark Izzo, finally got a committee organized and a race started in 2001.

Six years later, Komanecky has earned one of four outstanding director awards nationwide from the All American Soap Box Derby, which oversees the races and hosts the championships every year in Akron, Ohio. Komanecky learned of the award on Saturday while attending the races, which he does every year.

“I was completely surprised,” he said.

Jeff Iula, general manager for the national organization, said there are about 160 race directors around, so winning an outstanding director is impressive. He said a committee looks at a variety of factors, including the participation rates of the local race, the director's handling of required paperwork and the preparation of local cars that make the national finals.

“It's a very nice honor,” Iula said. “He should feel very good.”

Komanecky was quick to deflect the praise onto others.

“I suppose I received the award, but the honor is really for our city and our committee,” he said.

When the Auburn race started up in 2001 after a 27-year hiatus, organizers had to recruit children to take part and borrow cars from other areas. This year, about 50 children took part in the races, which go down the hill on East Genesee Street by Hoopes Park.

“We've been able to do so much in such a short period of time, at least that's what I'm told,” said Komanecky, who is senior program director at the Auburn YMCA.

Komanecky travels to Akron each year, once to take cars there for the local children who qualified to compete in the finals and then to pick the cars up and bring them home. This year Dylan Kirk, 15, and Tyler Mason, 9, competed at the nationals.

“Both kids said they had a good time,” Komanecky said.

And that's what Komanecky hopes happens for all people who get involved in Soap Box Derby.

“We're able to keep winning in perspective, and that's what Soap Box Derby is all about,” he said. “It's fun. It's a great family event.”