The Soap Box Derby has undergone multiple iterations in the Fredericksburg area over the past several years.
The event moved from downtown Fredericksburg to Dominion Raceway in Spotsylvania County in 2021.
But this is the third year the event will be held at Rocky Run Elementary School in Stafford County.
No matter the location, race organizers are thrilled to hold the event each year. The 27th annual event, now called the Stafford Soapbox Derby, will take place Saturday at Rocky Run with racers arriving at 7:30 a.m.
“[Rocky Run is] a really good racetrack,” said Bob Denecke, chairman of the Rappahannock Area Soap Box Derby. “William Street [in Fredericksburg] had a steep hill and the kids picked up good speed at the bottom. Dominion was flat and we had to raise our ramps, but it was a great place. Rocky Run is kind of that happy medium. It’s also at a dead end, so we’re not really bothering anybody.”
Denecke, race director Alvin Staples and other staff members are excited about the return of the Super Kids Division.
Super Kids is a nationwide program to promote the derby to children with disabilities. The children will ride in specially designed two-seat cars along with an experienced driver. The program places a heavier emphasis on experience rather than competition.
College seniors and former derby champions Charlotte and Elizabeth Denecke are two of the Super Kids drivers.
“It kind of gives the children with disabilities the thrill of the hill, which we like to call it when they go down the hill,” Bob Denecke said.
The winner of Saturday’s race will be considered the local champion and is eligible to compete in the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship in Akron, Ohio, against other local champions.
Although there are perks to winning, Denecke stressed that the derby is about more than coming out on top.
The mission statement of the non-profit International Soap Box Derby is to promote youth education and leadership development. It also aims to build knowledge and character and create meaningful experiences through collaboration.
It encompasses much of the STEM curriculum that is taught in schools as youth build their own cars.
“It’s really gravity racing,” Denecke said. “So, it’s kind of about science, technology and engineering. The cars are not motorized, so kids have to figure out the weight distribution for hills, they have to adjust the axles on cars to make sure they’re bent properly for the speed they want to go.”
In addition to Super Kids, the other divisions are Stock Car for ages 7-13 and individuals standing up to 5-foot-3 and weighing up to 125 pounds. Super Stock is for ages 9-18 and can accommodate drivers that are up to 6 feet and 150 pounds. Masters is designed for racers ages 10-20 and includes the more experienced drivers.
Denecke is looking forward to a fun-filled day that also will include hot dog, taco and ice cream vendors.
“We’ve got a really good group of families that race and they’re all good kids,” Denecke said. “Whether they win or lose the race, they always congratulate each other at the bottom of the hill.”
