Derby day a big success

Two by two, 125 drivers launched soap box cars down Blue Ridge Ave. Saturday, urged on by an enthusiastic crowd.

The sixth edition of the Soap Box Derby of Culpeper was the biggest yet. Originally, 130 drivers signed up to race, and all but five braved the hill in front of Yowell Meadow Park.

Soap Box Derby 2008 slideshow

It was an early morning for the racers, and even earlier for the volunteers. Nearly 100 community members turned out to help coordinate the event, some as early as 5 a.m. Saturday morning.

In the end, winners were crowned in three divisions —stock, super stock, and masters. The trio will represent Culpeper at the world championships in Akron, Ohio, July 26.
They’ll be joined there by at least two other local competitors. Amanda Halsey and Brandon Feagan have each qualified for the Rubber City showcase by achieve the qualifying standard in rally races this spring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywE8HZhjlFU

Back to Saturday. There was all the drama of a top-notch race, including a wreck (everyone was okay) and a neck-and-neck finish in the super Stock Division, where Austin Hickman took the title by .001 seconds.

There were a few tears as racers battled through the heat and pressure only to come up just short. Mostly there were smiles.

Afterwards, the group gathered for an awards ceremony during which each competitor received a trophy.

A handful of special awards were given out, including a Best in Show award in each racing division. Zachary Chapman took the honor in the stock division. Tyler Crane and Jacob Settle shared the award in the Super Stock bracket. Nicole Holloway came away with the trophy in the Masters division.

The Soap Box committee also handed out a sportsmanship award, voted on by the drivers, to Crane and Sean Brown.

Now the race committee, led by race founders Frankie Gilmore and Tony Troilo, turns its attention to next year. Already the second largest race in the country, race organizers are exploring the possibility of a permanent race track so the event can continue to grow.

Jason Simcoe can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or .

Award Winners
Stock Division
1st - Kaleb Marshall
2nd - Zeb Armstrong
3rd - Sean Brown
4th - Alissa Armstrong
Super Stock Division
1st - Austin Hickman
2nd - Rebecca Johnson
3rd - A.J. Stead
4th - Brandon Feagan
Masters Division
1st - Quinn-Lynn Bates
2nd - Patricia Robare
3rd - Amanda Halsey
4th - Nicole Holloway
Sportsmanship
Sean Brown, Tyler Crane
Best in Show
Stock - Zachary Chapman
Super Stock - Tyler Crane, Jacob Settle
Masters - Nicole Holloway