Bernsen brings '25 Hill' to Culpeper

Corbin Bernsen sat on the top of the soap box derby car, gestured to the sky and hopped down into the seat.

He crouched low and waited for the signal to go.

Later joking that his extra weight helped him win, Bernsen shook hands with his opponent Zac Roe of Fredericksburg.

Bernsen was in Culpeper Sunday afternoon for the world premiere of his movie “25 Hill,” and to help promote the All-American Soap Box Derby.

Children ages 8-16, who had never raced before, were invited out to Culpeper County High School to experience going down the hill and have an opportunity to meet Bernsen — a star famous for roles in “Major League” and “L.A. Law.”

“It’s great here, this is just a great town,” Bernsen said. “I loved seeing Main Street all bustling and working with great restaurants. It’s a great community.”

Bernsen — who produced, directed and starred in the independent film “25 Hill” — was amazed at the response he received from the Culpeper community.

“Everybody has been incredible, it’s been a wonderful community of people,” Bernsen said. “I still wish there would be more people here. It’s my challenge to anybody who reads this, the kids really want to do this but the adults need to take a Sunday off. I know the game is on and I know it’s easy to sit back on the chair, but this is a big beautiful day where you’re missing something with your family.”

Bernsen spent the day talking with families, kidding drivers and partaking in a little bit of racing himself.

“I can only put it like this, you’re sitting back and kind of relaxing but you’re still out of breath at the bottom,” Bernsen said. “It takes your breath away. Your heart does race. There’s some skill involved. It’s fun.”

Bernsen visited Fredericksburg on Saturday and said the two communities are similar in their love of the derby.

“Its very similar, very dedicated communities, really family oriented,” Bernsen said. “I see these really cool families. Those families together make a community. It doesn’t matter your race or your creed, they’re all here for a common purpose.”

Ned Mulford of Lignum was one of the area youth who stopped out to give the derby a try. He said he enjoyed going down the hill and expects to race in the Soap Box Derby of Culpeper this coming June.

“I wanted to race and made my decision today,” he said. “The wind is in your face and you have to get low. It’s really fun.”

Bernsen signed several cars Sunday, including the brother duo of Zachary and Tyler Miller. Miller’s car is dedicated to the memory of Carol Anne Brown, a former derby driver who died two years ago.

Bernsen signed each car “Corbin Bernsen, 25 Hill!”

“It’s cool,” Zachary said with a smile.

Bernsen then hopped in a helicopter, piloted by Gene Kritter, to take an aerial tour of the new derby track off of Cherry Hill Road, just off Route 522 North.

The premiere

More than 200 people turned out to watch the world premiere of 25 Hill at CCHS Sunday night.

“I’m just hoping to spread the word and have a handful of people enjoy it,” Bernsen said. “I really want to make sure that they enjoy the community and continue this day and continue this community event.”

The film, which chronicles the tale of 12-year-old Trey Caldwell and his quest to win the All-American Soap Box Derby to honor the memory of his father, drew raucous applause after the viewing.

“This is just incredible,” Bernsen said to the large crowd before the viewing. “You guys are the No. 1 race organization in the country as far as I’ve seen.”

For a review of the movie, check out Thursday’s entertainment page in the Star-Exponent.