About Us

How It Started

In the summer of 2002, Tony Troilo and his sister, Frankie, were trying to decide what to do for Rosson & Troilo's 75th Anniversary; a family owned & operated business. Tony wanted to do something for the community; something that would give back for all the patronage the community had shown the family for the past 75 years. Instead of a big anniversary sale, the Soap Box Derby came to mind. He decided that a community event involving families would be the climax of our Anniversary Celebration. After many meetings with regional and area directors, the Soap Box Derby of Culpeper was planned for the last Saturday of June of 2003. Thirty five drivers participated in a double elimination race that took the town by storm. With the help of other area businesses, the Town of Culpeper, and many volunteers, the race was a huge success.

That year, the Culpeper Soap Box Derby was awarded "Outstanding New Race City" in Akron, OH at the All-American World Championship Race in 2003.
In 2004, our local race director won "Outstanding Director" in 2004 at the All-American World Championship Race.

In 2005 the Culpeper Soap Box Derby Committee piloted a Junior Committee of the SBD.

These members are between the ages of 13 and 21, and take on the same responsibilities and goals as the main SBD Committee. The Junior Committee is a Mentorship similar to Big Brother/Big Sister program. These young adults help bridge the gap between our younger drivers and the rest of the Derby community. Our Junior Committee helps run our Driver's Clinics, and takes a responsible role in all derby activities. They learn Leadership and how to handle themselves in a respectable manner that we all are proud of, while our younger drivers learn from them. Our program is a big success and has become a major part of our Derby Program.

In 2006, the Soap Box Derby of Culpeper was ranked 4th Largest Derby in the World.

A year later, the Soap Box Derby of Culpeper increased participation to 119 drivers, and is now ranked "2nd Largest Derby in the World."

In 2007, our very own Paul Bates, chairman of SBD Inspection/Clinic committee, was asked to join the elite group of officials at the 2007 All-American World Championship Race in Akron; better known as the "A-Team." Once in Akron, Paul helped inspect, weigh cars, help with construction adjustments, and then help officiate and run the World Championship Race.

Every year since 2003, all three champions of each division, and their families, are awarded travel expenses for the race week in Akron, Ohio for the All-American World Championship Race complements of Rosson & Troilo Motor Co., Inc.

Future Plans

A permanent track is in our near future. We would like to provide year round activities for our derby drivers. Many families spend long hours working together for only a couple races each year. With our permanent track, we would be able to provide monthly activities for our young adults and derby families. We are rapidly outgrowing our Downtown track on Blue Ridge Avenue. We want to make sure that all children, no matter their circumstances, have the opportunity to race in the Soap Box Derby. Unfortunately, we are limited on time and space at our present location. Our main concern is safety for both drivers and spectators, while increasing our number of drivers each year. Another opportunity that we will enjoy will be the addition of a "Super Kids" race at our new track. This is a race designed for children within the age limits that have special needs and unable to race in the local soap box derby cars. Each car in the Super Kids Derby is dual controlled and driven by an experienced driver and/or a family member.

We also plan on offering many more Rallies for our area drivers. Families develop close ties and relationships, as do the drivers, from the many travels in rally racing. Rallies will be an added activity for our local drivers, while bringing visitors to our area for weekend races. Rallies draw drivers from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Washington DC, North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia. Visiting families lodge here for the weekend while racing all day Saturday and Sunday.

Download our brochure here.