Nearly 30 racers competed in the 18th Annual Ocean State Soap Box Derby on Saturday for the chance to represent Rhode Island in the All-American Soap Box Derby Nationals in Akron, Ohio. First-time racer Robby Dufault of Newport won the 2013 Stock Division title. Robby is a 1st grade student at Cranston-Calvert and raced in a car sponsored by Farley Law/Cafe Zelda. Middletown sisters Mercedes and Ashley Ney placed second and third, while their Middletown cousin Mackenzie Reynolds placed fourth. The Viking Riders and Johnny’s Getty sponsored all-three girls. Ashley and Mackenzie are 3rd grade students at Forest Ave School. Mercedes is a 5th grade student at Gaudet School. 2011 Stock Car Champion Madison Rathbun won this year’s Super Stock division title. Madison placed 14th overall the year she went to Nationals. Madison was sponsored by the Westerly Lions and attends Westerly High School. Little Compton brothers Zachary & Noah Rousseau placed 2nd and 4th respectively. Both attend school at Wilbur & McMahon Elementary School. Zachary Rousseau was the 2012 Stock Division Champion, and represented Rhode Island in Akron last year. Newport resident Will Farley placed 3rd in his first race in the Super Stock Division. Will is a 4th grade student at Cluny School. Will drove the #53 car, sponsored by Johnny's Getty. NewportFed, Waste Management of Newport and Premier Toyota sponsored this year’s event. The Viking Riders and Gray Matter Marketing supported race day operations and logistics. As they have done each year, the Viking Riders awarded a bicycle to the first runner-up in each division. The 2013 National Soap Box Derby Championships will be held at Derby Downs in Akron, OH on July 27, 2013.
