2023 Stafford Soap Box Derby Race Press Release
In 1997, Fredericksburg city council member, Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks, suggested bringing back the Soap Box Derby to the Fredericksburg area. The race had been run on William Street from 1951 to 1972, ending after the loss of Chevrolet as national sponsor. City Council agreed that the derby would be an excellent community event to bring back to the area and that the running would be the responsibility of the Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation Department. Many local business owners stepped up and purchased cars and donated what was needed to get the race started.
In 1997, the Fredericksburg Soap Box Derby ran 85 drivers in two divisions, Stock and Super Stock. By 1998 the number of participants had increased to 125. By 2001, Fredericksburg was the largest race in the country with over 180 drivers.
The Master’s division was added in 2004, increasing the number of Fredericksburg area champions sent to the All-American National race at in Akron, Ohio from two to three.
In 2018 Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation Department felt they could no longer sponsor and run the event, so Spotsylvania County stepped in and moved the event to Dominion Raceway in Thornburg. In 2018 there were over 60 racers. The race was run in Spotsylvania from 2018-2021 except for 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. After the 2021 race, Spotsylvania was unable to continue funding for the Soap Box Derby and alternate “free” locations were researched by the Rappahannock Regional Soap Box Derby Committee. The committee looked for a location with a long enough and straight hill that would provide ample spectator space and comfort. One of the locations that had been utilized by many families as a practice site is Reservoir Road in Stafford County directly in front of the Rocky Run Elementary School. The committee reached out to the Tour Stafford County office and this new location for the Soap Box Derby was decided upon. We were very excited to have the opportunity to run the race in Stafford County for the first time in its local history.
The Soap Box Derby is a family event that benefits the whole community and teaches kids STEM skills, as well as sportsmanship. The 2023 race will be held on June 10th for the second time at the Reservoir Road location in Stafford, VA and would not be possible without the help of our sponsors and volunteers.
There were three build clinics held on March 13th, April 3rd and May 1st at the Fredericksburg Elks Lodge #875 located at 11309 Tidewater Trail, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. Parents and drivers were encouraged to attend a build clinic to allow one of our inspectors to look at the car and provide advice and to weigh their car. Inspection and Impound of the cars occurred on May 20th and 21tst at Brandonbilt, one of our greatest sponsors since coming to Stafford.
Our race day this year is on June 10, 2023. Racers and families assemble early, and at 8:00 AM attend pre-race ceremonies with the race starting at 9:00 AM. The track at Rocky Run Elementary School is a fast track with speeds approaching 25 mph…. pretty exciting especially for kids! The three winners from our local race will travel to Akron, Ohio in July to represent Stafford County at the All-American Soap Box Derby race.
For additional information please visit our Facebook page: Rappahannock Regional Soap Box Derby or
e-mail us at: info@rrsbd.org.
