Talk of the town

The Culpeper contingency has been in Akron, Ohio, for the All-American Soap Box Derby for almost a full week, and you can bet that this year people are noticing. Culpeper has gone from anonymous little town 360 miles southeast of Akron to the star of the show.

Just two years ago, no driver from Culpeper had ever won a race at the world championship event. This year Eastern View High School student Brandon Feagan is back in Akron after winning a world title last year.

Three years ago, Culpeper had never had a rally racer qualify for Akron. This year there are three, making a total of seven in the past two summers.

And to think, just seven years ago Culpeper didn’t even have a Soap Box Derby. This year it became the world’s largest local derby with more than 150 drivers.

All of Culpeper’s Soap Box madness has made its drivers well known to others in Akron.

“The nice thing about rally racing is that the kids know each other,” said Frankie Gilmore, the director of the local race and a member of the Culpeper entourage in Ohio. “The all know Brandon and Culpeper is really on the map.”

Feagan is back at the All-American Derby, this year as Culpeper’s local Super Stock Division champion. He’s joined by the other local champions, Tyler Miller (Stock) and Ciera Backe (Masters). Also racing from Culpeper are rally racers, who qualified for Akron by racking up points at various races throughout the year.

Hunter Chapman, who finished third in his division last year at the world championships, is back to race in the rally masters division. Amanda Halsey and Rebecca Johnson, two other longtime Culpeper racers, are also entered in rally races.

The drivers and their families arrived in Akron last weekend and have been enjoying a variety of Derby sponsored events throughout the week. In addition to meetings, car check-ins and test runs, the drivers have also experienced a minor league baseball game, trips to museums and other fun events.

The Culpeper crew has even ventured off the official itinerary and went to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio.

“We’ve just had a whole week of fun,” Gilmore said. “We really have.”

And now they are hoping the week ends with some more championships to celebrate.