For honor and doughnuts

At next Saturday’s Soap Box Derby of Culpeper, the honor and glory of victory — and three dozen doughnuts — are at stake as the Culpeper Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office pit their derby cars against each other.

In a first-ever friendly rivalry, the losing team will raise at least $100 to be donated to the charity of the winner’s choice and buy the winners three dozen doughnuts from Knakal’s Bakery on East Davis Street.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Frankie Troilo Gilmore, who along with her brother Tony Troilo, organized the first derby six years ago.

“In five years, it’s gone from 30 to 130,” entries said Tony. “It’s just a good rivalry and it’s all in good spirit.”

The Troilos began the derby in 2002 as a community celebration of the 75th anniversary of the family business, Rosson & Troilo. Last year, 112 drivers participated and the derby was ranked second largest in the world. Other large races are held in Fredericksburg, Salem. Ore., Rio Rancho, N.M., and Akron, Ohio, home of the All American Soap Box Derby.

This is the fourth year the Sheriff’s Office has sponsored a car and the first for the police department. Both Sheriff Jim Branch and Chief Scott Barlow exchanged a few friendly jabs at a Friday afternoon press conference on the Culpeper County Courthouse lawn.

In the CPD car will be 13-year-old Austin Hickman, a four-year derby veteran who went to Akron his first year. Running against him will be 11-year-old Nathaniel Yates III, who said he’s practiced hard for his first race.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .