A BIG Thank You to Paul Bates
BY Tony Troilo & Frankie GilmoreAs we prepare for our 20th Annual Piedmont Area Soap Box Derby this June, we filled with such gratitude for all that make the Piedmont Area Soap Box Derby a success each year. Twenty years ago, we both thought that we would be hosting ‘a’ Derby - just 1 for the 75th Anniversary of Rosson & Troilo. However, many individuals told us after that first race, ‘this is not just about building a car and then racing it . . . it is so much more!’
That year, we realized it brings the Family Unit closer, with parents realizing that their son or daughter CAN use power tools, and CAN work with their hands. It’s children realizing that their parents/guardians CAN successfully work beside them to finish the project. Together, creating meaningful experiences through collaboration that will last a lifetime. . . Developing Life Skills, Self- Confidence, and the Courage to tackle the most intimidating hill at speeds of over 30 mph, while
traveling inches o the pavement. No, it’s not just building and racing a race car, it is learning how to work with other drivers and adults, embracing the true meaning of Sportsmanship - win or lose, helping a competitor change a brake pad, or helping them switch their wheels before racing. Over the 20 years, as we’ve watch young lives change, and in many cases, the adult’s perspective too, there has been one individual that has been the Center of it all.
Paul Bates, Big Paul as we call him at Paul Bates Raceway, has been there for the children, adults, and volunteers (and YES, it is named after him for the reasons you are about to hear!)
Paul is always there to lend a hand when the driver and pit crew (adult) need a little guidance, or to calm down an overanxious mind while trying to build the race car (that’s usually the adult since there are over 700 parts!). He nurtures the young minds and pushes them to new limits and never underestimated their potential - ANY time of the year!
Even though we host a couple of rallies each spring and fall, along with our Annual Local Derby in June, chances are that you will find Paul at the track on any given day, helping the families of local drivers work on their cars to hopefully better their time by a few thousands of a second.
Over the years, Paul has taken
so many individuals under his wing. Whether it be a young driver developing the courage to try the hill, or he may be the calming e ect on the parent, to let their child try. Paul encourages them to move forward, and the results are always astonishing. Hearing that young driver jump out of their car the first time down the track, and exclaim, “I DID IT - DID YOU SEE THAT - I DID IT!” is what keeps all of us motivated to work harder for the next race.
Paul Bates, knows the excitement and pride that comes with Soap Box Derby Racing firsthand, from watching his own grandchildren race years ago. He knows that those memories will last a lifetime; and if he can help another child and/
or family realize their potential, you better believe he will make it happen.
It was after our Local Race in 2008, we realized that we had outgrown our track in the Town of Culpeper on Blue Ridge Avenue. We knew we could do so much more if we had our own permanent track facility, but how were we going to do that? We remember sitting in a room with Paul and he told us both, “you find me the land and a little spending money, and I’ll make it happen.” By the spring of 2009 we found a portion of land in the county, and for the next 3 years, 7 days a week, Paul Bates moved dirt, moved more dirt and then moved it again, until he had the perfect 1250-foot sloped track. With his dedication and the help of many in our community (plus a little help from our dear friend Corbin Bernsen), the asphalt was laid in the fall of 2011. That following spring we christened our new facility, Paul Bates Raceway, to his surprise. Since that day, Paul has continued to make improvements to the building and grounds, giving us a state-of-the-art racing facility. Building our starting ramps, designing, and building measuring tools for all car divisions, setting up our inground scales, building storage racks to house over 250 race cars, the list goes on and on. Always keeping the kids in mind and their excitement when racing. To this day, it is one of the few places
where the only cell phone you’ll see is a parent, grandparent or relative taking pictures of their driver.
For our local organization, Paul continues to be a mentor to our Junior Committee members, helping them to learn how to mentor our first-time drivers and their families, he is the HUB of Soap Box Derby Racing, no matter where he happens to be - giving of his talent, time, and e orts to improve the sport. In our area, due to his e orts, we now have the means to provide educational activities to any child, helping them learn Life Lessons, STEM concepts and gaining selfconfidence, all while enjoying the All-American Wholesome Fun of Soap Box Derby Racing. Paul Bates creates meaningful experiences that truly last a lifetime. The mark he has left on many drivers will
be felt years to come. He not only helps them believe in themselves but teaches them to share what they have learned with others - passing it forward.
We at the Piedmont Area Soap Box Derby and in our Region are so grateful for his tremendous contributions growing the sport of Soap Box Derby Racing.
It is with such Gratitude that we say THANK YOU Paul, for helping us make the Piedmont Area Soap Box Derby one of the BEST Derbies in the Country WORLD.
For keeping us all under his wings, giving us the knowledge to become better, then sitting back and watching us soar.
Thank You Paul!
Our Sincere Gratitude, Tony Troilo & Frankie Gilmore
MEMORY LANE
MEMORY LANE
THE FIRST WINNERS
Dustin Olinger and Treavor Bates, now in their 30s, remember the fond times they had racing in the Soap Box Derby and have the trophies to prove it.
Olinger was 13-years-old when he learned from his dad about this new opportunity to build and race cars.
20 years of stories
earned the first ever Super Stock race award.
Alongside him in another category was Treavor Bates, who was 10-years-old and the grandson of Paul Bates, who later became the namesake of the Derby’s o cial track. Bates was competing in the smaller car races known as the Stock division.
“As a 10-year-old, getting to build your own car and race it, it sounded like a dream come true,” he said.
Bates remembers feeling nervous but also excited. He didn’t feel as though he was competing against the other kids until they met at the starting line.
The nerves paid o for Bates when he won his division.
BY Maria BasileoLOVER’S LANE
In 2008, Brandon Feagan became the Rally Masters World Champion, but little did he know, this trophy wouldn’t be the only prize he would get from participating in Soap Box Derby.
Feagan met his now wife, Danielle, when the two of them started to spend time together at the track.
Even though the pair had gone to middle and high school together, they didn’t exactly like each other, Danielle recalled.
Although Brandon began racing since middle school, Danielle became interested in 10th grade when her little sister began to race.
“My competitive nature forced me into racing too,” she said.
“It was a little project for us to do together for some bonding time,” he said. “We just ran with it.”
Olinger, who now works as a mechanic, remembers he wasn’t nervous on race day, but recalls things getting more exciting as the final runs began.
When all was said and done, he
CONGRATULATIONS
to the Piedmont Area Soap Box Derby on your 20th year celebration!
Supplying the t-shirts for the races every year...driving in style!
Following their wins, Olinger and Bates headed to the world championship in Akron, Ohio.
“Akron was pretty cool and pretty exciting,” Olinger said.
Bates said it seemed like such a “humongous trip.”
Both also remembered a special trip they took in the air on the Goodyear Blimp.
It was only when the two got out of previous relationships did they finally get together and debut their relationship to their Derby family at a fundraising banquet.
The pair got engaged in 2015 and married the next year. Nowadays, the couple waits for their two young children to be of race age.
Over the past two decades, there has been no shortage of memories.SUBMITTED Paul Bates Raceway in Culpeper lined with racers and observers.
Kylie Adams
Birthday: 06/12/2013
Hometown: Unionville
Sponsor: Rising Sun Auto
School: Anne E. Moncure, 4th
Hobbies: Dancing, playing at the park, art
Career interests: Flight attendant
Interesting facts: I’ve traveled to 12
Caribbean islands
Matthew Arthur
Birthday: 06/16/2015
Hometown: Remington
Sponsor: UVA Health - Culpeper Medical Center
School: Sycamore Park, 3rd
Hobbies: Basketball, riding 4-wheeler, video games & painting
Benny Barona
Birthday: 01/26/2013
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Blue Ridge Animal Hospital
School: Yowell Elementary, 5th
Hobbies: Video games, drawing & singing
Career interests: Entertainment
Interesting facts: I am a twin!
Brantley Blansett
Birthday: 12/26/2013
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Truist
School: Yowell Elementary, 3rd
Hobbies: sports, outdoors
Career interests: Football
Interesting facts: I can bend my thumb a weird way!
Roam Craig
Birthday: 08/15/2014
Hometown: Washington
Sponsor: The Lunch Bunch
School: Rappahannock Elementary, 4th
Hobbies: Drawing, clay sculpting & video games
Alex Fleming
Birthday: 10/02/2014
Hometown: Rixeyville
Sponsor: Lynrose Angus
School: Emerald Hill Elementary, 2nd
Hobbies: Soccer, excercise
Career interests: Engineer
Interesting facts: I know many unsusal facts.
Shane Fleming
Birthday: 11/22/2012
Hometown: Rixeyville
Sponsor: Culpeper Co. Vol. Fire Dept
School: Emerald Hill Elementary, 4th
Hobbies: soccer
Career interests: Professional soccer player
Interesting facts: Born in Okinawa, Japan
Aiden Garren
Birthday: 11/29/2012
Hometown: Rixeyville
Sponsor: Garren’s Family Racing
School: Emerald Hill Elementary, 5th
Hobbies: Baseball, family & video games
Career interests: Baseball
Interesting facts: I love baseball & boxing.
Everett Georgia
Birthday: 03/16/2014
Hometown: Warrenton
Sponsor: Battlefield Auto Group
School: Renaissance Montessori, 3rd
Hobbies: Fishing, automotive dismantling
Career interests: Junkyard owner
Interesting facts: I know how to recycle a car.
PIEDMONT AREA SOAP BOX DERBY
STOCK DIVISION
Adriana Gonzalez
Birthday: 11/27/2014
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Brown Harris Wealth Management
Paisley Harmon
Birthday: 11/26/2014
Hometown: Orange
Sponsor: Marshall Farms
School: Lightfoot Elementary, 3rd
Hobbies: Softball, dance & pagents
Career interests: Nurse
Interesting facts: I am left handed, but can bat with both hands.
Brooklyn Huggins
Birthday: 09/09/2013
Hometown: Unionville
Sponsor: Kramb Electrical Services Inc
School: Lightfoot Elementary, 4th
Hobbies: Spinning around
Career interests: Marine biology
Interesting facts: I’m double jointed.
Lilly Johnson
Birthday: 09/21/2013
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Clore-English Funeral Home
School: Emerald Hill Elementary, 5th
Hobbies: Horseback riding, swimming & singing
Career interests: Spacecraft Engineer
Interesting facts: I love horses.
Jack Marston
Birthday: 03/18/2016
Hometown: Midland
Sponsor: Gorilla Squad Fitness
School: Mary Walter Elementary, 1st
Hobbies: Baseball, fishing & dirt biking
Career interests: Game warden
Interesting facts: Born in Hawaii.
Lillian Metcalf
Birthday: 05/14/2015
Hometown: Washington
Sponsor: Metcalf Racing
School: Rappahannock Elementary, 3rd
Hobbies: playing video games & riding my bike
Career interests: Farmer
Interesting facts: I’ve camped on an Indian Reservation in AZ.
Natalie Metcalf
Birthday: 02/27/2014
Hometown: Washington
Sponsor: Metcalf Racing
School: Rappahannock Elementary, 3rd
Hobbies: Helping take care of livestock
Career interests: Veterinarian
Interesting facts: I’ve helped deliever baby goats.
Parker Miller
Birthday: 01/05/2012
Hometown: Brandy Station
Sponsor: Brandy Station Vol. Fire Dept.
School: Sycamore Park Elementary, 5th
Zac Morris
Birthday: 06/23/2011
Hometown: Charlottesville
Sponsor: Performance Signs
School: Covenant School, 7th
Hobbies: Lacrosse, wrestling & fencing
Career interests: Pilot
Interesting facts: I think Dr. Pepper is the best soda.
STOCK DIVISION
Mackenzie Mosher
Birthday: 05/04/2014
Hometown: Castleton
Sponsor: Rappahannock Elementary School
School: Rappahannock Elementary, 3rd
Hobbies: Riding horses, basketball & Girl Scouts
Career interests: Doctor
Interesting facts: I started riding horses when I was 5.
Ayden Salahaldeen
Birthday: 11/24/2013
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Pepper’s Grill
School: Sycamore Park Elementary, 3rd
Hobbies: Cars, swimming & reading
Career interests: Army
Birthday: 10/31/2012
Hometown: Linden
Sponsor: Wakefield Country Day School
Emma Ott
Birthday: 01/31/2014
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Ragged Run Labradors
School: Epiphany Catholic School, 3rd
Hobbies: Gymnastics & golf
Career interests: Professional Golfer
Interesting facts: I was the very first person at Hollywood Studios in 2021.
Lian Salahaldeen
Birthday: 01/28/2016
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Clore-English Funeral Home
School: Sycamore Park Elementary, 1st
Hobbies: Fashion, swimming & music
Career interests: Police Officer
Maura Say
Birthday: 04/05/2013
Hometown: Boston
Sponsor: Weaver’s Automotive
School: Emerald Hill Elementary, 5th
Hobbies: Soccer, gymnastics & dance
Interesting facts: I won 3rd place in a rally race.
Adriana Saylor
Birthday: 06/05/2013
Hometown: Rixeyville
Sponsor: Youth Development Council of Greene
School: Emerald Hill Elementary, 4th
Hobbies: Singing & dancing
Career interests: Designer
Dawson Saylor
Birthday: 09/30/2015
Hometown: Rixeyville
Sponsor: The Moseley Family
School: Emerald Hill Elementary, 2nd
Hobbies: Sports
Career interests: Navy Helicopter Pilot
Interesting facts: I like to learn.
Kenneth Stanley
Birthday: 10/12/2014
Hometown: Reva
Sponsor: K K’s Printing & Stationery
School: AG Richardson, 2nd
Hobbies: Movies, basketball & football
Career interests: Car Salesman
PIEDMONT AREA SOAP BOX DERBY
SUPER STOCK DIVISION STOCK DIVISION
Aiden Stevens
Birthday: 11/10/2012
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Driscoll Trucking
School: Farmington, 5th
Hobbies: Racing, soccer & being a big cousin
Career interests: Firefighter
Interesting facts: I can do good impressions.
Jefferson Burke
Birthday: 12/02/2011
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: UVA Health - Culpeper Medical Center
School: 6th Grade
Hobbies: Drawing & singing
Career interests: Engineering
Interesting facts: Recently moved from Texas.
Logan Davis
Birthday: 12/01/2013
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Culpeper Rotary Club
School: Homeschool, 3rd
Hobbies: 4-H, Pokemon & planting
Career interests: Veterinarian
Interesting facts: I have a goat named Gizmo!
Alana Durica
Birthday: 09/22/2005
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Gilmore’s Automotive Service Center
School: College Freshman
Hobbies: Playing with my dog.
Career interests: Journalism
Interesting facts: I have double jointed pinkies.
Tucker Ellis
Birthday: 01/07/2011
Hometown: Warrenton
Sponsor: Blue Ridge Seafood
School: 7th Grade
Hobbies: Lacross & riding dirt bikes
Baylor Hocking
Birthday: 10/22/2013
Hometown: Amissville
Sponsor: Rose Hill Veterinary Practice, PC
School: Homeschool, 3rd
Hobbies: Hunting, horses & snakes
Interesting facts: Got a buck last deer season.
Colt Hocking
Birthday: 07/15/2011
Hometown: Amissville
Sponsor: Rappahanock County - Wilbur’s Revenge
School: Homeschool, 6th
Hobbies: Hunting, horses & fishing
Interesting facts: Got a 10-point buck last deer season.
Brayden Johnson
Birthday: 02/04/2010
Hometown: Boston
Sponsor: Culpeper Sheriff’s Dept.
School: Culpeper Middle School, 8th
Hobbies: Soapbox, baseball & boyscouts
Career interests: Mechanic
Interesting facts: I have the best airsoft gear!
Taylor Marcoux
Birthday: 08/09/2011
Hometown: Brandy Station
Sponsor: Brandy Station Vol. Fire Dept.
School: Culpeper Christian, 6th
SUPER STOCK DIVISION
Ava Morris
Birthday: 03/03/2010
Hometown: Charlottesville
Sponsor: Performance Signs
School: Covenant School, 8th
Hobbies: Horse tail brushing & making smoothies
Career interests: Anything with horses
Interesting facts: I was born with a horse tail.
Jackson Ott
Birthday: 10/11/2012
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Mike’s Glass & Mirror
School: Epiphany Catholic School, 4th
Hobbies: Golf
Career interests: Military
Interesting facts: I used to be paralyzed from the neck down.
Eddie Rutherford
Birthday: 03/02/2006
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Rutherford Racing
School: Culpeper County High School, 12th
Hobbies: Twiddling my thumbs
Jeremiah Sams
Birthday: 10/21/2011
Hometown: Rixeyville
Sponsor: Blue Ridge Awards
School: Elkton Middle School, 6th
Hobbies: Spending time with family & baseball
Career interests: Professional baseball player
Interesting facts: I can do a backflip
Mady Say
Birthday: 05/20/2010
Hometown: Boston
Sponsor: Clore-English Funeral Home
School: Culpeper Middle School, 8th
Hobbies: Dance, cheer & choir
Career interests: Scientist
Interesting facts: I’m competing at dance nationals.
Ryne Serene
Birthday: 04/30/2010
Hometown: Jeffersonton
Sponsor: Keys Heating & Air Conditioning
School: Culpeper Middle School, 7th
Hobbies: Video games
Career interests: Game Designer
Interesting facts: I’m in three different school clubs.
Aden Stewart
Birthday: 05/08/2009
Hometown: Rixeyville
Sponsor: American Legion Post #330
School: Homeschool, 8th
Hobbies: Mechanics, dirt bikes & drag racing
Career interests: Owning my own business
Interesting facts: I like raising chickens for eggs.
Bryanna Tyler
Birthday: 01/10/2006
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Greenscapes Nursery & Garden Center
School: Culpeper County High School, 12th
Hobbies: Working & going to school
Career interests: Cosmetology
Interesting facts: I’m working towards getting my cosmetology license.
Keshawn Tyler
Birthday: 07/21/2008
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Culpeper Animal Hospital
School: Culpeper County High School, 10th
Hobbies: Football, weight lifting & roller coasters
Career interests: NFL player
Interesting facts: I lost 30 lbs after COVID.
PIEDMONT AREA SOAP BOX DERBY
MASTERS DIVISION
SUPER KIDS DIVISION
Maeve Ciuba
Birthday: 07/08/2005
Hometown: Flint HIll
Sponsor: Friends of Rappahannock
School: Darthmouth College, Freshman
Hobbies: Darthmouth College, Freshman
Career interests: Nonprofit or museum work
Interesting facts: I can play the harp!
Kayla Crawford
Birthday: 02/26/2004
Hometown: Orange
Sponsor: Culpeper Mid-Day Lions
School: Emory & Henry College, Junior
Hobbies: Swimming, tennis
Career interests: Sports medicine
Interesting facts: I have broken 5 bones.
Remington Robson
Birthday: 02/06/2013
Hometown: Culpeper
Sponsor: Super Kids
School: Pearl Sample Elementary 4th grade
Hobbies: Taekwondo & hunting with his dad
Career interests: I want to build houses
Interesting facts: Born at 11:11 pm, shows a cow that weighs over 1200 lbs.
Savannah Huggins
Birthday: 04/20/2006
Hometown: Unionville
Sponsor: The Backe Family
School: Orange County High School, 12th
Hobbies: Cake baking, reading and boxing
Career interests: Accountant
Johnathan Johnson
Birthday: 07/30/2007
Hometown: Boston
Sponsor: Bates Family Racing
School: Culpeper County High School, 11th
Hobbies: Mowing, driving & sports
Career interests: Aviation
Interesting facts: I’m great at chess!
Kid’s Festival STEM Activities
We will be having a Kid’s Festival with STEM activities! The Festival will begin after our Opening Ceremonies at 9 AM.
20th Year Celebration Tent Decorating Contest!!
Decorate your POP-UP Tent at the Annual Soap Box Derby, for a chance to win a $100 Gift Certificate to Luigi’s Italian Restaurant in Culpeper, VA.
Winners will be judged the day of the derby Saturday, June 17th. The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony. Winners must be present to win.
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