Bernsen talks '25 Hill'

Corbin Bernsen saw a microcosm of America in the All-American Soap Box Derby.

The actor, famous for roles in L.A. Law and Major League, saw a story about the derby and its financial woes two years ago in a USA Today while traveling – and he was drawn to it.

“I thought it was the Americana,” Bernsen said Tuesday, as he drove to the site of the All-American Derby in Akron, Ohio.

But it was more than that, he said, that compelled him to make a film based on the derby and immerse himself in the culture.

“I’d thought I’d make a small independent film to help raise funds and awareness of the derby,” Bernsen said.

That film, “25 Hill,” will be screened in Culpeper Sunday at 7 p.m. as part of a grass roots tour that is hitting 11 communities that support the derby.

Bernsen identified Culpeper as one of the leading small-town derbies in the nation, pointing out that two years ago it was the largest in the nation.

“It’s among the finest in the nation,” Bernsen said.

He was also drawn to Culpeper because his film parallels the real life story of Culpeper Soap Box Derby driver Sean Brown.

In the film, a young man has the dream of going to race in Akron to honor his father who was killed in action in Afghanistan. When he gets there, he discovers the All-American Race needs to be saved so he can fulfill his dream.

Brown’s story is similar, he traveled to Akron to honor the memory of his sister Carole Ann Brown.

As Bernsen researched his movie and became closer with the derby family, he discovered that at the heart of the derby was the heart of America.

“Respect, family and community,” he recalled as he headed to a meeting of the All-American Derby organizers.

He equated the country to a building, pointing out the foundation has taken a hit in recent years.

“You see all this crap going on in the country and that piece of the building block is what’s missing,” Bernsen said. “This is the biggest problem, the foundation is weak. It’s taken me to this point to realize the value of the derby is the foundation, and that’s what’s needed right now.”

The values of community and family appealed to Bernsen, who had two children. He’s even working on a soap box derby car with his 13-year-old son for a race next year.

“It’s just tremendous,” Bernsen said. “These people have inspired me to be a better person. It inspires me to keep going.”

Bernsen said as he’s been traveling around the nation, his mission has changed. Originally he envisioned thousands of people coming out and buying the 25 Hill DVD. However, there have been times when only 22 people have come out. But Bernsen is keeping a positive outlook.

“I got a little concerned that we’re not doing anything, but we’re making a difference,” he said. “A grassroots campaign isn’t just one stop but a culmination of all the stops.”

Bernsen’s stop in Culpeper will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday at Culpeper County High School where race organizers will give children 8-16, who have never raced before, a chance to go down the hill.

Bernsen hopes his trips, especially the one in Culpeper, will have encouraged others to join the derby.

“I’m hoping the kids stay with it and bring new kids to the event,” he said. “Along the way I’m hoping to take it to a bigger level.”

Want to go?

What: Actor Corbin Bernsen premières his new movie ‘25 Hill’; new drivers get to go down Achievement Drive

When: Nov. 6, racing starts at 11 a.m., movie at 7 p.m.

Where: Culpeper County High School

Contact: Frankie Gilmore at 540-272-1848 or ftgilmore@gmail.com.

Other info: The DVD of the movie can be pre-ordered by contacting Gilmore; proceeds benefit the Culpeper derby track and the All-American Soap Box Derby